Sherman Spruill, Ret. United States Armed Forces (U.S. Army) Command Sergeant Major, died peacefully on August 5, 2026, at his home in Rock Hill, South Carolina, which he shared with Pearlie W. Spruill, his wife of sixty-three years.
Born December 21, 1941, in Roper, North Carolina, to Audrey Mildred Spruill and Cecil Spruill, he thrived academically and on the football field at Washington County Union High School. After graduation, he enlisted in the U.S. Army with the goal of forging a successful career that would enable him to lift his family out of poverty and build a stable life for his future wife and children. He ripened into adulthood during a time of national racial strife in the pre-Civil Rights era, but did not allow discrimination and prejudice to decide his path.
He bought his first home as a newlywed in the early 1960s and built an impressive military career of twenty-two years and three months. Despite its shortcomings, he respected the potential of the United States of America and he served his nation proudly as an Infantryman for twenty-two years and eight months and as a Personnel Senior Sergeant for nine years and seven months. He was a decorated two-tour veteran of the Vietnam War, in which he survived critical injuries deserving of the National Defense Service Medal, Vietnam Service Medal with Four Bronze Service Stars, and the Vietnam Cross of Gallantry with Bronze Star. He was also the recipient of Expert Infantry and Master Parachutist badges, Army Service and Overseas Service ribbons, and Vietnam Campaign, Meritorious Service, and Good Conduct medals, the latter of which he was awarded seven times. He also earned a Non-Commissioned Officer Professional Development with 3d DVC.
After retiring from the U.S. Army, he built successful careers in real estate and with the United States Postal Service, from which he retired early to care for his mother until her death from Alzheimer’s in 2011 at the age of ninety-nine. He enjoyed the outdoors, especially boating and fishing, the company of dogs, and the unrelenting pursuit of knowledge.
He is survived by sisters Evelyn Phelps of Virginia Beach, Virginia, Burnette Spruill of Brooklyn, New York, and Billian Iveson of Virginia Beach, Virginia; daughters Sherri Hager of Rock Hill, South Carolina, A. Tamryn Spruill-Shaw of South Easton, Massachusetts, and Urania Gibbs of Rock Hill, South Carolina; Annette Hudgins of Dumfries, Virginia, and Justin Battle of Indiana; and grandchildren Jody Cooper, Evan Cooper, Xjavier Gibbs, Mariah Spruill, Anthony Gibbs, Robbie Hager, and Alanah Gibbs, ranging in age from thirty-one to seventeen. Preceding him in death were siblings Vandy L. Spruill of Norfolk, Virginia, Jefferey W. Spruill of Washington, D.C., and Merita Jackson of Roper, North Carolina.
Condolences may be made at www.greenefuneralhome.net