Stella Frances (Knight) Sherman

Stella Frances Knight Sherman, age 91, died peacefully at home in New Smyrna Beach on Saturday, December 17, 2022.

 

Born in Overland Park, KS, Stella was the daughter of the late Thelma Frances Crow and Arnold Robert Knight, sister of the late Roberta Erwin, and wife of MSGT Charles Henry Bell USAF (retired) and, later, Roger Wesley Sherman. 

 

After graduating from Junction City High School in 1949, she married into the United States Air Force, serving 30 years as a military spouse. She was an accomplished singer- songwriter, serving in church choirs as she moved her family with each military transfer to a new duty station, and singing in nightclubs in her youth. The first in the family to attend college, Stella earned Bachelor’s and Master’s Degrees in Business Administration/ Economics and Education respectively from Rollins College.

 

In 1951, Stella began working in federal civil service in Gulfport, MS. She served for 42 years, retiring from her post as Long Range Planner at the Orlando Naval Training Center. 

Stella always loved watersports and passed on this love to her daughters. As a young woman she enjoyed swimming, waterskiing, and boating and later took up scuba diving and yachting, enjoying cruising and diving reefs in Florida, the Bahamas, and Hawaii. She also enjoyed RVing. 

 

Active in the community, she was Dock Master, Governor, and Commodore of Smyrna Yacht Club; a member of the Order of the Eastern Star; a Girl Scout leader; and a church volunteer. She was proud of her American Indian heritage.

 

Survivors include her daughters Christine Bell Elnitsky (John) of New Smyrna Beach, FL, Rae Bell Ware (Buddy) of Oneonta, AL, Sandra Sherman Swearingen, Kelly Sherman Campbell; grandchildren James Elnitsky (Kristine), Michelle Clowdus (Matthew), Christine Crotwell (Michael), Stefany Cameron, Thomas Swearingen III, Andrea Burnsed, Sean Campbell; cousins James Abeel (Kathy) of Buckhead, GA. and John Abeel (Anne) of Orlando, FL; and 12 great grandchildren.

 

The Funeral service will be Wednesday, December 28, 11:00 am at Our Lady Star of the Sea Catholic Church, New Smyrna Beach, FL. The family will receive guests for visitation at 10:00 am at the church. 

 

 In lieu of flowers, the family suggests memorials to the Daytona State College Scholarship Fund.