Biloxi woman named Ms. Senior Universe

A crown jewel is sitting right here in South Mississippi.

News 25’s Toni Miles takes us behind the scenes with Ms. Senior Universe, a Biloxi woman who has wasted no time using her new title and platform to help improve the lives of others from all walks of life.

Many would say Sherry Strother has lived a charmed life, a fairy-tale of sorts, especially on the heels of her recent win as Ms. Senior Universe. She certainly knows how to put her best foot forward.

But what you don’t see on stage is the grace with which she’s carried herself in the throes of tragedy. “I was not one who competed in pageants at a young age. Actually, in 1977, I lost my mother to breast cancer. I became very bitter toward God and angry at life. And I am ashamed to admit that I wanted to take my life because of a broken heart. At 22, how could I go on without my mother? In 1981, a friend encouraged me to compete in what was known as the Mrs. Texas pageant.”

She didn’t win or place in that show, but Sherry did walk away with a valuable lesson. “I realized that day in that moment, God placed it in my heart -life is tough darling, but so are you.”

Eventually, Sherry would go on to win the title of Mrs. Texas and now more than 20 years later, she wears the crown of Ms. Senior Universe, a new chapter in life, living proof that a lot of persistence and even a touch of faith can take you a long way in life. “At times in life women, when we become 40 or 50 we think we realize that life is over, but it’s just beginning. I truly believe I’m on my second pair of ruby red slippers and I’m clicking them and I’m getting out and being involved in my community. I’ve been able to work with Wounded Warriors, our veterans, empowering young girls to be all that they can be and that’s what’s truly brought me to this title.”