Sherry Rauter

After a life well-lived, serving her Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, Sherry Ann Prewitt Rauter was called home on December 8, 2023, surrounded by her family. She was 77; born in Dallas, Texas to the late James Durward Prewitt and Aldean Ann McDowell Prewitt, Sherry, the eldest of two daughters, was joined by younger sister Beverly Kay in 1950.

Sherry grew up in Oak Cliff in the Singing Hills neighborhood which brought with it a childhood full of adventures. Her dad was a reserve police officer and with the girls in tow, had access to exciting venues and concerts where he worked. If she wasn’t making doll clothes for little sister Beverly or taking walks to the Dallas Zoo with her grandmother, Sherry was enjoying summer camp and attending bible school at Bethel Temple in Oak Cliff.

After attending South Oak Cliff High school and graduating in 1965, Sherry went on to Baylor University, with aspirations of being a nurse. However, after a car accident in her third year of college which led to a long recovery, God had other plans for Sherry. Although the accident may have affected her dream of being a nurse, Sherry was resilient and didn’t let the bumps in the road stop her from her passion for helping others.

Sherry Prewitt married Dwayne Pettit and were married for twenty-five years. They were blessed with two wonderful sons, Aaron Jeffrey and Matthew Dwayne. While Sherry had many amazing accomplishments in life, being a nurturing mother to Jeff and Matt was most important. She truly loved being a boy mom—which came quite naturally. Her passion for teaching and reading came to life as she read novels to the boys while encouraging them to love books and music.

Having kids did not stop Sherry from completing her degree in education. Sherry’s love of teaching started at home and eventually led to the classroom at the Shelton School in Dallas where her education career took off. She believed in the Montessori tradition and poured her life into teaching. She later played a key role in starting the Oak Hill Academy. Sherry believed that no matter how challenging a child might seem, they deserved a good education. Through her compassion toward children, she found joy in seeing her students thrive in the classroom.

Sherry later moved to Washington, DC to pursue her master’s degree in Montessori Administration. It was in Washington, DC where Sherry met the witty and vivacious David Rauter, a US Army Band Master Sergeant. A friendship blossomed between the two before life brought Sherry back to her family in Dallas. As luck would have it, David’s band had an engagement in Dallas, and they reconnected. Their relationship rekindled and after months of phone calls, David joined her in Dallas. They were married on January 2, 1998, and settled comfortably in their home in Dallas. David and Sherry celebrated their 25th wedding anniversary this past January and enjoyed a special hotel stay and dinner, arranged by her family.

Whether it was holidays at her parents’ Cedar Creek Lake House, playing games with her family, or attending the many school activities with her grandchildren, the time spent together brought her great joy. When she wasn’t planting flowers in her garden or listening to classical music, Sherry and David would volunteer at Children’s Medical Center Dallas where they would walk alongside the children and rock the babies in the special care nursery.

Throughout her life, Sherry’s Christian faith was ever present as she was a devoted member of Preston Hollow Presbyterian Church. David and Sherry remained active in their church, serving as choir members for several years. It’s no surprise Sherry made many friends over the years, as she was kind-hearted and accepting of others. This love and compassion stems from her faith in knowing that God keeps His promises and kept His promise to always be with her and guide her. She followed the command to “love God and love others”.  Sherry found comfort in studying the Bible and being a part of a Bible study group—providing much support to her in recent years. Psalm 42:1-7 offers the illustration of a deer longing for streams of water, and how we need to long for God’s Word and presence. This was one of Sherry’s favorite passages to remind her of where to go when she faced challenges in her life.

Sherry shared that she believed in “Abundant life now, and with God for eternity”.  While this short illness was not what she expected, she always knew that God had a plan for her life.  Jeremiah 29:11 says, “For I know the plans I have for you,” says the Lord. “They are plans for good and not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope”. Sherry was a true friend, who strived to be like her friend Jesus—gentle, kind, and loving.

Sherry is survived by her loving and devoted husband, David Rauter; her sons, Jeffrey Pettit and his wife Lupe and Matthew Pettit and his wife Leanne; along with her pride and joy, her four grandchildren, Gabe, Isabella, Parker, and Drew. Sherry is also survived by her sister, Beverly Plauche, and her niece and nephew, Krista and Bradley, as well as many beloved cousins and friends.

The family will receive friends for a visitation at 10:00 a.m., Wednesday, December 20, 2023, at Allen Family Funeral Options.  The funeral service will follow at 11:00 a.m. with Chaplain Patti Scali officiating. If you wish to join the service via webcast, please visit: https://webcast.funeralvue.com/events/viewer/95624

A reception will immediately follow the service.

Sherry will be laid to rest at 2:00 p.m. at the Dallas/Ft. National Cemetery, 2000 Mountain Creek Pkwy, Dallas, Texas.

Flowers are welcome, but if desired, donations to support Sherry’s love for children may be made to the Shelton School https://www.shelton.org/support-shelton , North Texas Food Bank https://nokidhungry.org , or Children’s Medical Center of Dallas https://give.childrens.com/

A friend is one to whom

You may pour out all the

Contents of your heart.

Chaff and grain together,

Knowing that the gentlest

Of hands will take and sift it.

Keep what is worth keeping

And with the breath of kindness

Blow the rest away.

Arabian Proverb