Michael Sherwood

Michael Sherwood, 68, of Spartanburg passed away Monday morning June 3, 2024 of complications from COPD. He is survived by his partner of 38 years, Cookie Willis also of Spartanburg. Michael and Cookie had no children. Michael was predeceased by his father, Robert Lee Sherwood (91), who died August 2016; his mother, Wanda VanWagoner Sherwood (72), who died January 2003; and his sister, Jeri Sherwood (70) who died April 2024. Michael has one living sister, Victoria Sherwood Fitton with her husband Stephen who live in Lansing. And Michael has three nephews: Eric and Angela Fitton who have two daughters, Chloe (11) and Maeve (9); Kevin and Rebecca Fitton who have two daughters, Naomi (17) and Adelaide (15); and Scott and Katie Fitton who have a son, Bobby (6) and a daughter, Juliette (2).

Michael had an associate degree in hotel and restaurant management and worked in both South Carolina and Florida. He was an avid reader who especially enjoyed John Grisham, Dan Brown, and was a huge Harry Potter Fan – a family favorite. He loved all sports and rooted particularly for the Carolina Gamecocks and the Michigan State University Spartans. As a boy, he played little league. As a young man, he played on baseball teams similar to the Savanah Bananas, who are to baseball as the Globetrotters are to Basketball. He even had a try-out with the Detroit Tigers. He loved rock and roll music and old cars, especially the Ford Mustang. He owned an old Mustang convertible. He also enjoyed technology and playing computer games. Michael had sports and computers in common with his brother-in-law and nephews, their favorite topics of conversation.

Michael and Cookie shared a deep love of animals and had many pets (dogs and cats) over the years. He loved to call his sisters and regale them with funny stories of animal antics in their home. They also shared a strong love and commitment to family. Phone conversations were frequent. He always wanted to know how the family was doing. Passing comics, puns, and jokes back and forth was also common. Michael had a great sense of humor.

But his all-time favorite thing was Christmas. He loved decorations inside the house and outside the house, especially lights. He loved thinking about gifts and buying gifts. He especially loved receiving gifts or perhaps it was simply the pleasure of “guessing what’s in the package” and tearing away at the paper. Whatever the source, he became a little kid for three months around Christmas. It was contagious and a great source of pleasure for all of us.

He will be missed.

A Celebration of Life is being planned for Michael this Sunday, June 9, 2024 at 4:00 pm at the First Presbyterian Church of Lansing. A light supper will follow.

Please sign the online guestbook at www.caringcremations.net. The Sherwood family has entrusted arrangements to Caring Cremations Life Celebrations and Funerals at 828-855-3350.