Sheryl Denise Casteel-Baltrip's Obituary
Sheryl Denise Casteel-Baltrip was born the middle child of Travis and Verdell Casteel on December 9, 1954, in San Francisco, California to be raised by Herbert and Johnnie Fortune. She continued her education there and received her Associate of Arts Degree in Business Administration at Merritt College, Oakland, California.
Sheryl's work career began at the Social Security Administration in Richmond, California. She moved up in her career and later transferred to Oakland, California, until retirement in April 2014.
In 1986, she fell in love and married her husband of 29 years, Connie F. Baltrip. They resided in Oakland, California, until his death in October 2015.
Sheryl accepted Christ as her personal Savior under the Rev. C.C. Bailey at Allen Temple Baptist Church at the age of 10 years old, then baptized at the Third Baptist Church, San Francisco, California, by Rev. Frederick Haynes, Sr. Sheryl reunited with Allen Temple at the age of 12 years when she moved to Oakland. She joined New Beginnings Community Church under the leadership of Pastor Anthony Majors in 2013. It was here that Sheryl's journey with God grew and deepened. She was a loyal member who was adored by everyone she came across.
Preceding her, in death, were her husband, Connie Baltrip; her parents, Travis and Verdell Casteel; her brother, Michael Casteel, and Herbert and Johnnie Fortune, her "God-appointed" parents after the age of 11. She is survived by her sister, Gia Casteel-Brown, nephew, Marc Alexander Brown, niece Marika Talese Casteel-Rice, great -niece, Magnolia Rice, and many relatives and friends.
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