Hometown Heartbeat ~ Sheryl Meek’s love for our community will have a lasting Legacy

This month we recognize  a dedicated and compassionate community volunteer who generously gives her time, energy and heart to helping others. Her kindness and commitment have made a meaningful difference in the lives of those around her.  Sheryl Driscoll Meek  

Sheryl was born to Bob and Mona Driscoll in Guymon, OK. From the time she was one they lived at the Panhandle Eastern Pipeline Co., Hansford Compression Plant.  There were about 35 houses there. They had a school for first through eighth grade and after eighth grade she had to drive to Spearman for High School.  She lived at PEPL until she married.  Sheryl has two siblings, Bonnie Shroad and Ricky Driscoll.   

Sheryl graduated SHS in 1961 from the school’s original building–a place filled with memories that has since been torn down and rebuilt to serve today’s junior high students.  While attending school at SHS, she was an active  member of the band, playing clarinet.  She often accompanied on piano, soloists and the Swing Band and served as Drum Major her senior year. During this time the band had the opportunity to perform at the Cotton Bowl and yearly traveled to Enid, Oklahoma to participate in the Sweepstakes competition, The band consistently received tops marks, earning A’s and first place.  Sheryl also worked for Carl Archer while in school and after she graduated.

After graduation, Sheryl attended Texas Tech University for one year studying Business Administration. Sheryl shared with me that she especially enjoyed the administrative side of the field, including paperwork, office work and shorthand.  

Sheryl married Bob in 1962 at United Methodist Church which is now Cornerstone Methodist in Spearman. They have two sons, Wayne and Greg Meek.  Bob and Sheryl are still members where they both are very active members of the church choir with Sheryl the pianist.  Sheryl believes she began playing for the church in 1972 which means she has devoted 54 years serving through her music at UMC.  She was also a pianist for the Hitchland church women's choir until she married.  So that is close to 60 years of piano.  It amazes me to think  of the dedication it takes to faithfully serve her church and her church family for more than five decades!!! This is exactly why we recognize Sheryl as part of the Hometown Heartbeat.  She is truly part of the heartbeat of Spearman.

In 2018 Sheryl was honored by the Texas State Board of Education, Heroes for Children. “For her works, service and volunteerism of public schools.”  She also served on the Spearman School Board as a community representative for three yrs.

Sheryl collaborated with Kristi Ramone and Karen Thompson to create a program for 1st and 2nd grade students.  These three women recognized that with working parents some children might not have as much time at home to practice reading or have someone available to listen to them read, They wanted to help so they started Read with a Buddy, giving the students an opportunity to spend 30 minutes reading with a buddy once a week, They had 18 to 20 students participate. Sheryl was instrumental in creating this program. It was a wonderful way for Sheryl and the other volunteers to encourage young readers and make a difference in their lives. This program lasted  years and with the ISD going to a four day school week the volunteers felt it was too much stress on these young students due to longer hours at school.  

Sheryl shared with me that she was at the Hansford Hospital with Bob in 2013, and wanted to go to the chapel.  She discovered there was no longer a chapel so she approached the board with the opportunity to establish a chapel.  The proposal was met with overwhelming support from the board and Sheryl gathered others to help create the chapel  The hospital found a room and Spearman’s amazing volunteers came together to create the Chapel,  Those volunteers were Tindall Ramone, Judy Nelson, Ryan Davis, Celia Krug with Randy Kirk donating the cross. The Knights of Columbus donated a kneeling bench and Richard and Wanda Wagner donated the rosary.

Thank you Sheryl for being such a selfless community leader.