A Celebration of Life for Sherrie Whitten
on Lake Jocassee
On May 30th, what would have been her birthday, family, friends, and fellow nature lovers gathered on Lake Jocassee to honor the life and legacy of Sherrie Whitten, a beloved founding member of Friends of Jocassee (FOJ). She had served proudly as both President and Secretary and her leadership helped shape the organization’s mission and impact, leaving a lasting legacy in the preservation of one of South Carolina’s most treasured natural areas. Sherrie also served as the committee chair of BellFest, our annual spring festival celebrating the blooming of the rare Oconee Bell flower (Shortia galacifolia). BellFest always includes live music, interpretative stations on the Oconee Bell trail, vendors, kids activities, guest speakers, and a silent auction to benefit FOJ.
In true Sherrie fashion, the celebration took place where she felt most at home—on the waters of Lake Jocassee, surrounded by the beauty of the Jocassee Gorges. A flotilla of four full pontoon boats, carrying over 50 people, set out together in tribute. Among those aboard were Jocassee Lake Tours staff, South Carolina Master Naturalist friends, and Friends of Jocassee Board Members, all coming together to reflect on the incredible impact Sherrie had on their lives and on the Jocassee community.
Sherrie had a unique gift for bringing people to the lake—not just to see it, but to feel it, to love it, and to be inspired by it, just as she was. She was a mentor, mother, and friend—known by many as the nicest person you’d ever meet, someone who had a way of making everyone feel special.
Though her physical presence will be deeply missed, Sherrie’s spirit will live on in the stillness of the coves, the shimmer of the waterfalls, and the quiet magic of the Jocassee Gorges. Her passion and love for this place, and for the people she shared it with, will continue to inspire all who follow in her footsteps.
We miss you, Sherrie. Thank you for showing us how to love this place with all our hearts. ❤️
