Sheryl Clanton Walters, 79, of Myrtle Beach, South Carolina, passed away peacefully on Friday, October 2, 2026. in Charleston, South Carolina, surrounded by her loving family. 

Her service will be held at 2:00 PM on Monday, October 5, 2026, at Mt Elon Baptist Church, 1132 W. Lydia Hwy., Hartsville, SC 29550, with a committal service in the church cemetery.

Born on March 28, 1947, in Lydia, South Carolina, Sheryl was the only child of the late Francis Lee Clanton and Elizabeth Barfield Clanton. She grew up in a very loving home out in the country surrounded by live oak trees and tobacco fields, which she talked about fondly. She shared endless stories about spending time with all of her cousins at her grandmother’s house, which was next door. This is where she developed her love for gardening and animals.

Sheryl attended Winthrop University in Rock Hill, South Carolina, with several of her cousins. She then moved to Columbia and started her career at the South Carolina Department of Health and Environmental Control (DHEC), where she retired after thirty years of dedicated service. She had a true passion for art, music (especially beach music), gardening, interior decorating, and all animals.

On May 20, 2003, she married the late Paul Ernest “Ernie” Walters. They moved to the beach, which was her lifetime dream and where they were blessed to have 23 amazing years together. She is survived by two loving and devoted daughters: Christine Lee and Ashley McClellan (Bobby). She is also survived by two stepsons: Phillip Walters (Jaime) and Michael Walters (Nicole). Sheryl (Gaga) had five grandchildren, who she cherished and was extremely proud of: Alexander, Michael Jr., Elizabeth, Avaline, and Redden.

Funeral arrangements have been entrusted to McAlister-Smith Funeral & Cremation, 869 St. James Avenue, Goose Creek, SC 29445, 843-553-1511.

Expressions of sympathy may be sent to McAlister-Smith, Mt. Elon Baptist Church, or online at mcalister-smith.com.