Terryl Shearwood
May 24, 1950 ~ February 25, 2018 (age 67) 67 Years OldShare Tribute:
Terryl Laverne Shearwood, 67, passed away at home with her family by her side on February 25, 2018 after a valiant battle with cancer. Throughout her illness, her devotion to her family and deep sense of faith quietly supported her in her struggle and ultimately gave her peace.
Terryl was born to the late Albert and Fern Steward, an architect/Vice President of Bank of America and a homemaker, respectively, in Lynwood, California on May 24, 1950. She was an energetic, positive young soul with a strong belief in God and a deep desire to please others. In school, she was known as the “social butterfly,” fluttering around eagerly, wanting to help and care for others, always with a smile on her face. Growing up, she helped care for her younger sisters and immensely enjoyed hanging out with her older brother and slew of cousins who brought lots of joy and incredible adventures her way. In the spring of 1967, Terryl met the love-of-her-life, Charles Shearwood. They fell madly in love, quickly, and were married right before Chuck received his orders from the Marines to go to Vietnam.
Understandably, Terryl was deeply distressed, but her strength and profound desire to create the family of her dreams helped her move forward. Terryl’s status then, the wife of a Vietnam Marine, was not easy. Each time the soldiers in “Dress Blues” would come knock on her door, her heart would drop. Luckily, their words were of her husband’s injuries and not his death. She was proud to be the wife of a Marine who was honored with two Purple Hearts, and now, a mother. Her first child, Shelly, was born in the summer of 1968. Terryl’s dream to create a happy home for her loving family was beginning to materialize in 1971, when her husband was discharged from the Marines and they settled into their home in Newbury Park, California.
Once in Newbury Park, Terryl soon welcomed her second daughter, Tracy, born on Valentine’s Day, 1973 to an eager family. She took great pride in being a wonderful mother and loving wife. As time went on, Terryl grew to want more children around, so as a true nurturer, she decided to start her own home day care business which she ran for 43 years. Hundreds of children and their families were touched by Terryl’s grace and love. They became her family, too. In fact, a few children, now grown and with families of their own, send cards or stop by every Christmas Season to express their love for and respect to Terryl, who was an integral part of their formative years.
Terryl is survived by her husband, Charles Shearwood; her daughters, Shelly Armellini and Tracy Wooton; her grandchildren, Damon, Amber Lynn, Anthony, Aydan and Kayla Maxine; and her sisters, Debbra Johnston and Lynette Coleman. She is preceded in death by her brother, Craig Steward and her parents, Albert “Buzz” and Fern Steward.
Terryl’s service will be held in Camarillo, California at Conejo Mountain Funeral Home at 2pm on March 10th. The officiant is a long-time family friend, Minister Trace Martinez of Pillar Church of Oceanside with music by nephew, Ben Coleman. The family respectfully declines flowers, but is honoring friends’ desires to give by requesting charitable donations be made in Terryl’s honor to Saint Jude Research Hospital, Children’s Hospital of Los Angeles or Shriner’s Hospital for Children. Condolences may be left at, and donations links can be found on the memorial page for Terryl Shearwood: http://www.conejomountain.com/tributes/Terryl-Shearwood.
...Family in the care of Erin Arteaga, Funeral Director
St. Jude Children's Research Hospital
501 St. Jude Place, Memphis TN 38105
Tel: 1-800-805-5856
Web: http://www.stjude.org/
Shriner's Hospitals for Children
Web: https://www.shrinershospitalsforchildren.org/
Children's Hospital of Los Angeles
4650 Sunset Boulevard, Los Angeles CA 90027
Tel: 1-323-361-2441
Web: https://secure1.chla.org/site/Donation2;jsessionid=00000000.app20102b?idb=721111454&df_id=1480&mfc_p