Sherman S. Eastland

Sherman Spradlin Eastland, 78, of Amarillo was lifted to a higher calling when called home to meet his Lord on November 19, 2021.

Visitation will be from 5-7:00 p.m., Tuesday, November 23, 2021 at Schooler Funeral Home, 4100 S. Georgia St. Funeral service will be at 11:00 a.m., Wednesday, November 24, 2021 at First Christian Church, 3001 Wolflin Ave with Dr. G.A. Roach as officiant. Arrangements are by Schooler Funeral Home.

Sherman was born April 28, 1943 in Borger, TX to Jack and Mattie Eastland. Sherman’s father worked in construction and moved the family to Galveston, Waco, and Coleman, TX and Muskogee, OK. The family ended up in Sheridan, AR before returning to Amarillo. At age 11, Sherman lived one year with his mothers parents, Willie Speed and Emma Smith in Newlin, TX. Sherman returned to Amarillo to complete his grade school to graduation years.

While in Amarillo, Sherman was invited by his friend, Charles Ivy to attend church with the Reverend MO Garner. It was at this point in his life when he gave his heart to the Lord on August 14, 1961. Within 3 years, Sherman heard the Lord calling him into ministry. MO Garner related “you could have pushed me over with a feather” to Sherman’s vocational calling. Sherman went to Seminary in Springfield, MO completing his education and moved to St. Stevens New Brunswick, Canada. He was there for 4 years preaching until returning to Amarillo, very homesick for his mother. It was during that time that Sherman married and had 4 sons. Sherman also helped raise his niece and nephew, Judy and Danny Butcher.

Sherman put aside, for personal reasons to stop preaching and work in the copy machine business. He was a manager, worked in sales and travelled the Panhandle repairing copiers. After 10 years, he felt again the call to minister to others. G.A. Roach contacted Sherman to work together as chaplains at Northwest Texas Hospital from 1996-2011. Sherman would “strut” the halls visiting to provide loving support and compassion to his patients, their families and hospital staff. Sherman met Tamara Kay Stewart as co-workers before falling in love and they married on September 29, 2001. Sherman retired from NWTH and started as chaplain of hospice care; from Odyssey then Kindred for 5 years. He retired from ministry on April 15, 2016 but continued to perform weddings, funerals and several home bible studies with friends and family.

Sherman loved reading (a true bookworm), talking to fellow ministers and friends, playing his guitars, golfing, fishing, being at home with Tamara and spending time with daughter and granddaughters. He continued to study the bible in his spare time. Sherman was a true Elvia Presley fan, having met “the King” before he was famous at age 11, Elvis being 19. He had an autographed photo of Elvis from that meeting. He often told Tamara that his clothing of choice was influenced by Elvis himself.

He is preceded in death by his parents; sister, Patricia “Nan” Wolfe (Russell) and Jackie Wakefield (Hayes); and brother, Danny Lon who died as an infant.

Sherman is survived by his dear wife, Tamara; daughter, Mattie Eastland; step-daughter, Erica; granddaughters, Talyn Pruett and Sophia Varela; one great-granddaughter; multiple nieces and nephews; and 4 sons; many friends made in ministry from Maine, Canada and Texas; and his beloved dogs, Jake, Annie, Presley and Mr. McGregor.

In lieu of flowers, Sherman and family requests memorials be made to Kindred Hospice of Amarillo, 3232 Hobbs Rd. Ste A, Amarillo, Texas 79109.