Sherryl Sue Brannan

A celebration of life service for Sherryl Sue Brannan, 86, Willow Springs, Missouri, will be held at 2:00 p.m., Saturday, October 24, at Trinity Baptist Church, Willow Springs, Missouri. Visitation will be held from 1:00 until 2:00 p.m., prior to the service.

 

Mrs. Brannan, a beloved wife, mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, teacher, and friend, passed away Sunday, September 13, 2026, in Springfield, Missouri after a life marked by faith, service, family, and adventure.

 

Sherryl was born May 3, 1940, in Des Moines, Iowa, to Frank Bud Edgar and Georgia Mae Larkins Edgar. She graduated from West Plains High School in 1957 and from Southwest Missouri State University in 1961 with a degree in physical education and art. She began her teaching career in Stockton, California, before moving with her family to Willow Springs in 1980. She later earned a master's degree in education from Missouri State University and retired from teaching in the Koshkonong School District.

 

After retirement, Sherryl enjoyed life on her farm and spending time with her son, grandchildren, and five great-grandchildren. She was an avid reader who often read a book a day and was a talented artist who enjoyed painting, pottery, singing, and dancing. She loved the outdoors and participated in swimming, synchronized swimming, canoeing, lifeguarding, horseback riding, barrel racing, camping, hiking, and gardening. She managed the City Pool in Willow Springs for several years and taught water-safety classes. She was also an accomplished marksman and according to her son, could outshoot her husband with his own gun. Sherryl had a lifelong love of animals, which seemed to be returned by the animals she encountered.

 

Sherryl devoted much of her life to serving others. She served as a volunteer police officer with the City of Willow Springs and faithfully volunteered with the American Red Cross for approximately 70 years, including at a local blood drive just four weeks before her passing.

 

Sherryl was saved as a child at First Baptist Church in West Plains and was a longtime member of Trinity Baptist Church in Willow Springs. She married the love of her life, Eldan Brannan, June 22, 1969, at St. Anne's Episcopal Church in Stockton, California, and together they raised their son, Marc.She is survived by her son, Marc Brannan; two grandchildren, Austin Brannan and wife, Hayley, and Riley Brannan; five great-grandchildren, Bennett, Adaline, Elleigh, Graham, Finn, and one on the way; one sister, Vicki Hogan; sister-in-law, Deborah Brome and husband, Mike; and many nieces and nephews. Her husband, Eldan Brannan, parents, Frank and Georgia Edgar, brother-in-law, Gary Hogan, and niece, Sheryl Boss preceded her in death.

 

A private interment will be held at a later date at Howell Memorial Park Cemetery. Memorial contributions may be made to American Red Cross and may be left at or mailed to Robertson-Drago Funeral Home, 211 W. Main St., West Plains, MO 65775.