Beautiful, loving, hopeful, dreamer, warrior
Many called her Sher, but her mother, Valerie, knew her as Sher Bear, and she radiated beauty and a love for all things. She was a warrior and always defended the underdog, and she lifted others up. Sher was the most non-judgmental human, loving animals and people exactly as they came. She brought home every stray she encountered, and thanks to her efforts, her mother has four dogs and one cat, Hanalei. Sher begged for a cat for years, and though Valerie wasn’t a cat person, finding little Hanalei abandoned in a mud puddle felt like fate. From then on, Sher and Hanalei developed an unbreakable bond.
Kurtis, a white schnauzer Sher found stranded in a snowstorm, formed a similar kinship with her daughter Ayla. Even before her birth, Kurtis sensed Ayla and hovered protectively near Sher’s belly, and after her birth, they only got closer. They are now best friends: she gives him all the love of an overly enthusiastic toddler, and he tolerates every second. Sher was also protective of Ayla’s pregnancy as it was high risk, so when she was born healthy, it was the happiest day of Sher’s life. She continued safeguarding Ayla, selecting the most qualified babysitters and mandating specific rules.
Sher did everything she could to give Ayla the best life. Motherhood was her calling, but it wasn’t her only dream. She was determined to be an RN, so she maintained recovery and started Amarillo College’s nursing program. School came easily to her, as Sher was highly motivated and absorbed information with ease. She would have graduated in May 2025.
Every time she achieved her goals and overcame hardships, Sher made her family so proud. She was the youngest sister to Braxton, Rustin, and Kaylee, her half-sister and best friend, and they all made fond memories in Cancun. It was an annual family trip since she was four, and twice a year she would go with her grandparents. She loved the beach and was happiest when she could swim with the dolphins, go parasailing, and order mountains of room service.
Sher was also an amazing artist, and her profound love for animals and people made them frequent subjects of her work. She mostly used art pencils, but she could paint too. One day, her mom came home to find her entire bedroom wall blossoming with hand-painted wildflowers. It was so beautiful Valerie couldn’t be upset. Sher was also a talented singer in the school choir and though she lost interest, her talent remained. Her voice could get anyone’s attention, but it was especially precious to her mother. In the last video Sher posted, she sang “Jesus Loves Me” to Ayla on Christmas. Her loved ones could witness her enchanting voice and presence one last time.
Sher’s mother, Valerie Roberts, provided the information for this narrative. November 8, 2002-December 25, 2025–Age 22
Portrait Artist: Shawn Faust
Narrative Writer: Willow Kline
