Saturday, September 11, 2021

 Beth Ann Sperry

October 11, 1978—August 30, 2021

Beth Ann Sperry (Humrich), 42, passed away August 30, 2021, in Jacksonville, Florida from metastatic breast cancer. She handled her illness with poise and grace.

Beth grew up in Fowlerville, Michigan and attended Eastern Michigan University where she earned a Bachelor’s degree in Special Education in 2001. She moved to California in 2002 and completed her Master’s degree in Education in 2006 at San Diego State University. After six years in California, Beth moved to Lakeland, FL where she met her future husband, Ben Sperry. They married on March 16, 2012, in Ponte Vedra, FL. Their son Casen was born in February 2013, and daughter Cali was adopted in December 2017.

Beth taught ESE for 21 years, half of her life. She spent most of her years teaching Kindergarten and ESE, inspiring countless students, and fellow teachers who have shared that she touched every heart she encountered. “Just her presence made our lives a little bit brighter each and every time we saw her.”

One of her students, Sarriah, recently wrote, “Look where I am now…8th Grade! Because of you. You helped me become a better person, helped me be respectful….I love you Mrs. Sperry, you were my favorite teacher…thank you for your time with us.”

Beth’s love of children and teaching came second only to the love she had for her family. She enjoyed spending quality time with her family, hunting for shark’s teeth at the beach, exploring new hiking trails, doing yoga, visiting the mountains, and crafting.

Beth is remembered with love by her husband, Ben Sperry (Jacksonville, FL), children Casen and Cali Sperry, parents Marv and Jean Humrich (Webberville, MI) and Diane Comstock (Jacksonville, FL), sister Alane Humrich (Gainesville, FL), Kathleen and Peter Munson (Lakeland, FL), Charles and Joan Sperry (Saginaw, MI), Josh and Tiffany Sperry (Tampa, FL), and a host of other family members and friends.

Beth had such a beautiful and gentle presence. She was an incredible mother, wife, daughter, sister, friend, and teacher and truly an extraordinary and authentic human being. She exemplified love, patience, kindness, and compassion in every thought, word, and action. The world was a better place with her in it, because of her genuine love for others and our natural world. Her light will shine on forever in her children and all who knew and loved her.

A private memorial will be held at a later date. Donations in Beth’s memory may be made to METAvivor, the sole U.S. organization dedicated to awarding annual stage 4 breast cancer research.

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