Sherman Dee Oakley was born on March 28th, 1940, in Oktaha, Oklahoma to Father Harrell and Mother Irene Winn-Oakley. He was the 7th born of 15 children. Sherman accepted Christ at an early age and joined New Hope Baptist Church. He attended New Hope Elementary School under Mrs. Ella B. Smith. He went to both Dubois High School in Summit and Manual Training High School in Muskogee, Oklahoma where he played basketball and graduated in 1958. Sherman then received a basketball scholarship and attended Okmulgee Vo-Tech for one year where he studied printing.

Sherman was then drafted into the United States Army serving two years after being honorably discharged. Soon after, he moved to Brooklyn, New York where he extended his knowledge in printing while taking interest in hobbies that included basketball, softball, and bowling. During his time in printing school, Sherman then met his late wife Maxine Whitehead and had two children, Sheila and Allen Oakley.

Shortly after, Sherman began working for the New York Metropolitan Transit Authority (MTA) as a bus driver, later retiring in East New York, Brooklyn in 1989. Within the 20 years of his career, Sherman drove the B25, B40 which is now the B47, and many other bus lines in the Brooklyn area. He was proud of his job and would often talk of his experiences and the opportunity he had to meet people on his daily routes. It was not easy driving the bus in the 'Big Apple', due to heavy traffic and narrow streets, but he never regretted it. Sherman was honored with awards, trophies, and medallions to display his hard work and endless dedication throughout the years.

As we commemorate Sherman, looking back at his attributions to the community, his leadership roles, work ethic, and family, there was no doubt that he was a great man. He was creative, protective, family-oriented, boisterous, and stubborn, but most of all loving. Sherman's demeanor, as he would communicate with the younger generation in Brooklyn brought him tons of respect and a place in everyone's hearts. For some, when they addressed him, he would say, "Mr. Oakley to you". Sherman touched everyone in different ways, and there was not one person who didn't know where he was from. His local corner store located in Brooklyn, dedicated a sandwich after him. The ' Oakley Oklahoma', his favorite breakfast meal that included honey glazed turkey, eggs, lettuce, tomato, onions, and mayonnaise on a warm roll, with tea and lemon on the side. Little things like, naming a sandwich after him was special and honorable. As we say farewell, his legacy will continue to live on in the hearts and minds of his family and friends.

Sherman was preceded in death by his wife Maxine Whitehead, his parents Harrell and Irene Oakley, siblings, Harold Oakley Jr, Mildred Hill, William Oakley, Osee Oakley, Arnee Sample, and Ruby Tucker. While he is gone, but never forgotten, he leaves to cherish his precious memory of his children, Sheila and Allen, his grandchildren, Ravan, Phylicia, Neil 'Sharode', Keanu, DeAndrienne, DeAllen, DeAlexandra, Dewight, and DeAndre. His sisters, Saundra, and Adlaide, brother Micheal, and two cousins raised as brothers, Fred (Jan) Brown and Wayne (Brenda) Brown as well as many nieces, nephews, great-grandchildren, cousins, and friends. We thank Sherman Oakley for the imprint he left on every single one of us.

A Service of Memory will be conducted, Saturday, June 26, 2021 at 11:00 a.m. in the New Hope Baptist Church, Oktaha, OK with a cousin, Rev. James Harrison, eulogizing.  Interment will follow in New Hope cemetery, Oktaha, OK.  Public visitation, Friday, June 25, 2021 in the Precious Memories Chapel of House of Winn Funeral Home during the hours of 1:00 P.M. until 5:00 P.M.

MASKS optional

The family has been cared for by House of Winn Funeral Home-Muskogee.