Sherry Ellen Lipe Meeks, 69, of Springfield, MO passed away peacefully in her sleep on April 9th 2026 at Cox South after battling long term illnesses. Sherry was born April 17th 1956 in Fair Grove MO to Troy Jack Lipe and Nina Susan (Hood) Lipe. As a young child, she worked horses with her dad and competed in horse competitions, and spent time clogging all across Missouri with her sister, Joyce. Sherry graduated from Fair Grove high school and quickly began working with Southwestern Bell as a switchboard operator along with her sister Pat Hawkins. Sherry later became one of the first female line technicians, and helped lay the fiber optic phone lines covering Springfield. She continued to work with Southwestern Bell for over 30 years before retiring to start her own bakery business with her sister Joyce. Later in life she moved into the healthcare profession before retiring in 2024. In retirement she spent time doting on her grandchildren, enjoying hobbies, and caring for the people around her.

She is preceded in death by her parents Jake and Nina Lipe, her brother Scotty Lipe, and her sister Beverly Joyce Wallace. She is survived by her two children, Katrina “Katy” Meeks (and her spouses Zac Dixon and Andy Barrett) and Allison Jade Meeks-Ortega (and their spouse Roberto Zachary Meeks-Ortega), her grandchildren Dean Steven Robert Meeks-Ortega and Maya Jade Meeks-Ortega, her sister Pat Lipe Hawkins, and many nieces, nephews, and cousins.

A celebration of life will be announced by her children at a later date. Sherry will be deeply missed by the people she loved.