Katharine Sue Byers Sherwood, 89, of Springfield, Illinois, died Friday, March 6, 2026, after a long battle with Alzheimer’s disease. Katharine "Kay" was born February 2, 1937, in Hale Township, Missouri, to Hugh and Dulcie (Godsey) Byers. She was the youngest of ten children. Kay graduated from Dallas City High School in 1954 and married Fred Sherwood on August 14, 1956.
In 1962, Kay and Fred adopted their daughter, Denise. On October 3, 1970, Kay and Fred welcomed their son, Rase.
Kay is survived by her daughter, Denise Sherwood of Atlanta, Missouri; her son, Rase (Amy) Sherwood of Springfield, Illinois; grandchildren, Kaytlin Sherwood and Rase Sherwood Jr. of Springfield, Illinois; sister, Norma Brandon of Springfield, Illinois; brother-in-law, Everett Cox (Bonita) of Sanford, North Carolina; and many special nieces and nephews and their families.
She was preceded in death by her parents, Hugh and Dulcie Byers; her husband, Fred Sherwood; sisters and their husbands, Beaulah (LaVerne) Pence, Jenette (Raymond) Pence, Hughetta (Keith) Hull, Beryl (Carl) Colliver, Frances (John) Petersen, Nell (Harry) Mutter, and Willa (Duane) Covert; brother, Dale (Marjorie) Bunch; brother-in-law, Richard Brandon; and nephews, Michael Brandon and Bill Mutter.
The funeral service will be held at 2:00 p.m. Thursday, March 12, 2026, at Banks & Beals Funeral Home in Dallas City, Illinois.
Visitation will be held one hour prior to the service. Interment will follow at Dallas City Cemetery.
A memorial fund has been established for the Illinois Chapter of the Alzheimer's Association.