DALTON LUTHER SHERROUSE, 89 Rancher & Farmer LAKELAND - 
Mr. Dalton Luther Sherrouse, age 89, died Tues., Jan. 23, 2007 
of cancer. Mr. Sherrouse is survived by his wife of almost 67 
years, Joyce; sons, Gerald and Kenneth, Lakeland, son, Dayton, 
Augusta, Ga.; daughter, Lois, Lakeland; daughters-in-law, Beckie, 
Lisa and Laura; son-in-law, Lamarr Murphy; 7 grandchildren; 4 
great grandchildren; 2 sisters, Shirley Wyatt and Genevieve 
Wyatt, Lakeland and numerous nieces, nephews and cousins. He 
was preceded in death by his parents, Ollie and Luther Sherrouse; 
brothers, Denver, Earl and Raymond; sisters, Oleta Bryant and 
Alvina Bryant. Mr. Sherrouse was a retired cattle rancher and 
farmer, the 5th generation of Florida ranchers and farmers. He 
relished long days working alongside his family, and always looked 
forward to a full and hearty meal. He was a faithful member of 
Bethel Baptist Church for 76 years, where he was very active in 
various leadership positions, and served as a Deacon for many 
years. He was a man of strong faith and personal integrity, and 
his reputation mattered to him. He was most proud of the long 
marriage he and his wife, Joyce, shared. He was a 3rd generation 
Floridian and was born and raised in Polk County, as were his 
father and grandfather. Because of his long and deep ties to Polk 
County and his sharp memory, he could always be counted on to 
provide important and entertaining details about long forgotten 
relations and events, and he enjoyed doing so. His always upbeat, 
positive attitude and pleasant temperament were what defined his 
character, personality and longevity. So obvious were these 
qualities that those meeting him for the first time immediately 
recognized and commented upon it. Perhaps most astonishing was 
his ability to sustain this attitude throughout the various stages 
of his life, even at the end of his life. He was a long time member 
of the Polk County Farm Bureau and the Polk County Cattleman's 
Association. He also served as a Poll Deputy for the Polk County 
Elections Office for many years, an activity he enjoyed greatly 
as it gave him opportunity to meet and exchange pleasantries with 
a variety of people. The family wishes to acknowledge the efforts 
and kindness of numerous caregivers over the past several years. 
Additionally, the care and concern provided by Oakbridge Healthcare 
and Good Shepherd Hospice is greatly appreciated. In lieu of 
flowers, donations in his memory may be made to the Bethel Baptist 
Church Building Fund, 3125 Socrum Loop Road W., Lakeland, Florida 
33810. Visitation will be held from 6 to 8 p.m. Friday at 
Gentry-Morrison Northside Chapel with a celebration of a life to 
follow at Bethel Baptist Church on Saturday, Jan. 27, 2007 at 
10:00 a.m. Interment at Socrum Cemetery will follow.
Published in the (Lakeland (sic)) Ledger on 1/25/2007.