Zelma "Cherry" Sargent

Zelma Ruth Sargent was born in Carthage, Texas, on May 21st, 1926, the daughter of James Claude Cherry and Vera Sylvester Cherry. Throughout her life, many of her friends knew her affectionately as “Cherry.” She grew up on the family farm in Gary, Texas, with her brothers J.C. and Josh, and her sisters Joy Faye and Novalene. Her parents raised her in a Christian home and her father was a Deacon in the local Baptist church.

After World War II, Cherry was living in Beaumont, Texas, when she met her future husband, Bernis Lee Sargent, when he fixed her bicycle’s flat tire after she walked it into the service station where he was working after his discharge from the U.S. Navy. Cherry and Lee married in 1946, and after Lee attended medical school, he set up a successful practice back in Beaumont. Cherry was a strong supporter of his career in medicine while raising their two children, Bernis and Nancy. In 1991, she and Dr. Sargent moved to Highlands Ranch to be near their children and grandchildren.

Cherry enjoyed golf, eating out with her family—especially at The Fort here in Colorado—and she was always active in the community and church.

Gracious and welcoming, Cherry was a sparkling conversationalist known for her long stories, many of them about growing up on the farm in East Texas. She shared widely her many touches of class, and she has left behind fond memories of newly sewn dresses every Easter, of eating pizza out on the town and watching movies at her house on the weekends (The Sound of Music was a favorite with her grandchildren), and of big hugs. Above all, her family members will remember how much she cherished and loved each one of them.

She will be missed by all but we are comforted knowing that she is with her Lord and has been reunited with her beloved husband.

Zelma Ruth “Cherry” Sargent is survived by her daughter, Nancy Gropp of Highlands Ranch, and her husband Tim, and five grandchildren, Jenny Gropp, Matt Gropp, Heather Gropp, Lee Sargent, and Sarah Sargent.   

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