Rod and Sherry Taylor
“Happy Hearts”
In the Christian Standard Bible, Psalms 33:12 reads “Happy is the nation whose God is the Lord – the people He has chosen to be His own possession.” Rod and Sherry Taylor are two happy hearts who have made Jesus their Savior and it shows! They are long-time Seadrift residents who because of their faith have made a lasting impact in their sphere of influence.
Rod and Sherry have been married for forty-seven years this year! Today they are retired. Rod has been retired seventeen years, and Sherry fourteen.
Rod worked as a commercial fisherman on the bay oystering, shrimping, crabbing, and trout line fishing. Before he became a commercial fisherman Rod served our country in the Air Force as an aircraft mechanic. He worked on the T-37 and T-38. We salute his service to our country! Nineteen years ago, Rod became a Christian. Rod says, “God brought me through some situations that I shouldn’t have made it through. Only God can bring you through those situations. I made it through storms on the bay and near collisions with trains.”
Sherry became a Christian when she was eleven years old at a church camp. Sherry worked at the Seadrift School for over thirty years as a substitute teacher, teacher’s aide, school secretary, and library aide. Sherry sang with the Seadrift Community Choir for thirteen years and has worked local elections for fourteen years. Sherry had this to say about the Seadrift Community, “I never felt the need to leave Seadrift. I love small hometown. Knowing most people, watching their children grow up, the church, our wonderful local library, and living by the bay.”
Rod and Sherry are members of Seadrift’s First Assembly of God Church. They have each served there for many years. Twenty-three years ago, Rod became groundskeeper and maintenance man. Today Timmy Goodman is groundskeeper at the church. Ten years ago, Rod became a deacon. Sherry enjoys working with children and has been teaching in the church most of her life.
Nursing home ministry plays an important part in both of their lives. Rod has been playing at the nursing home for twelve years. He plays four instruments: the mandolin (his favorite), banjo, fiddle, and guitar. Rod, also, loves to sing. Sherry started visiting the Seadrift people at the nursing home after Rod started playing and singing with the band that meets at the home.
In retrospect over her and Rod’s lives, Sherry says, “Life is better with Jesus.”
