On Friday, August 14, 2020, Harold Lee Sherbert, Sr., loving husband, father and grandfather, passed away at the age of 78. Harold was born on October 6, 1941 in Woodruff, SC to Alfred Charlie and Polly (Owens) Sherbert. He and his wife Renee Foster were married on January 3, 1987 and together raised his two youngest children.
Harold served his country and his community most of his life by first enlisting in the Army National Guard at the age of 16. Following his Army service, Harold had numerous odd jobs. In 1960, Harold enlisted in the United States Marine Corps and was stationed in Kaneohe, HI and Beaufort, SC as a Military Policeman. Upon his discharge, he began serving his community by becoming a paramedic, police dispatcher, and a police officer in Woodruff, SC. Harold then went to work at the Fountain Inn Police Department as an Officer where he served until 1976 when he was recruited by the Mauldin Police Department. He rose through the ranks to eventually lead the department as their Chief of Police. Harold loved and faithfully served his community and the citizens of Mauldin until his retirement in 2000. While serving as a Police Officer, Harold enlisted in the United States Air Force Reserves as a Security Police Specialist and drilled at the Charleston Air Force Base (MAC) until he retired following 22 years of service. During his Air Force service, he was deployed for the Grenada Invasion, Hurricane Hugo and Desert Shield/Storm. He served on his units Security Assistance Visits (SAV) team and the Rodeo team (premier mobility competition).
Harold’s life was truly that of a servant. He was a noble with the Hejaz Shrine where he was a member of the Marching Patrol, Honor Guard, and the Road Runners. Harold volunteered by transporting children to the Shriners Hospital for Children in Greenville and Cincinnati, OH and by working the Shrine Circus each year. He was a long time Free Mason and a Member of the Mauldin Lodge. Harold was a member of and had served on the board of the Fraternal Order of Police, Greenville Lodge #17. He was a member of the American Legion Post #3 in Greenville, SC and a member of the International Police Association. Harold was a charter member of Lamb of God Lutheran Fellowship in Simpsonville, SC. Harold loved history, reading, and talking politics, but mainly talking. He was a social butterfly who never met a stranger and treated every single person fairly, no matter what! In his later years Harold became a dog lover and welcomed many dogs that he and his wife adopted. For the last three plus years Harold lived as a resident at the Richard M. Campbell Veterans Nursing Home in Anderson where he was loved and cared for by the amazing Staff of Unit 5 and the Staff of Patriot Hospice.
Harold was predeceased in death by his infant son, Scott Eugene, his first wife Delores, his Mother Polly Hardy, his Father Charlie and Father-in-law Jackie Foster. He is survived by his wife Renee and niece Ivey Foster of the home, his seven children and their spouses: Kathy & David Barton, Donna & Brian Johnson, Wanda Gamache, Harold JR & Penny, Michael Ray & Jamie, Kim & Darrell Whitaker, and Robbie & Ginny; 23 Grandchildren, 27 Great Grandchildren, 2 Great Great Grandchildren, three brothers; David, Carl, and Lance, In-laws; Ann Foster, Jody & Michael Trammell, and Jason Foster, many cousins and nieces and nephews, and countless Friends.
A funeral service with Military Honors followed by interment of ashes will be held on Friday, September 4, 2020 at 3 p.m. at the M.J. "Dolly" Cooper Veterans Cemetery, 140 Inway Drive, Anderson, SC 29621. The service will be officiated by the Reverend, Colonel Craig Abee and the Reverend John L. Yost, III.
Due to the current Covid Pandemic, it is strongly suggested that only immediate family attend; however, if you feel so inclined to honor Harold’s life by attending, please adhere to safe practices/distancing guidelines. Do NOT attend if you have been or are sick, running or have ran a fever in the past two weeks, or have been exposed to someone who has the virus. We ask that you either remain in or near your vehicle or spread out around the pavilion area. There will be limited seating and for Family ONLY. Thank you for your cooperation in keeping yourself and everyone else healthy.
In lieu of flowers please make donations to the Shriners Hospital for Children in honor of Harold at this link:
https://donate.lovetotherescue.org/give/119312/#!/donation/checkout?utm_source=shcmain&utm_medium=referral&utm_content=donatebutton&utm_campaign=shc&c_src=shc&c_src2=main
Or by mail: Shriners Hospital for Children Processing Center : PO Box 863765 Orlando, FL 32886
Link for printable donation form if mailing:
https://lovetotherescue.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/05/printable-donaton-form-headquarters.pdf?_ga=2.242312002.1701883484.1597527660-1805330234.1597527660