LaBelle's Sharon Craichy Dead

Former LaBelle Mayor And City Commissioner

LABELLE, FL. -- Sharon (Sherri) Spivey Craichy, 72, former LaBelle Mayor and real estate brokerage company owner passed away Saturday, June 26 at approximately 11:30 a.m. in Fort Myers, Florida.

Craichy was the former Mayor of the City of LaBelle and one of the first female Mayors to be elected in Florida. She was active in LaBelle church activities including the Carlson Methodist Church and the LaBelle Assembly of God, and attended church services over the years at most area churches.

Craichy founded LaBelle Real Estate, Inc. and had offices on North Bridge Street in LaBelle.

She was born Oct. 31, 1937 in Auburndale, the daughter of the late John Clyde and the late Dorothy Alvina (Ryals) Spivey. Sherri served as Mayor for the City of LaBelle (1993-2005) and on the LaBelle City Commission (1980-1987) and LaBelle City Variance Board (1988-1993).

She also served on the City of LaBelle's first zoning board and helped write the city's first comprehensive land use plan. Sherri worked as a real estate broker in LaBelle since 1972. She also served on various local committees including Swamp Cabbage Festival and the Fourth of July.

Survivors include her children: Julie Wilkins (Wayne) of LaBelle, K. C. Craichy (Monica) of Tampa, and John Craichy (Karen) of Raleigh, NC; brother: Jim Spivey (Linda) of Auburndale; and grandchildren: Matthew, Coby, Montana and Jacqueline, of LaBelle; Kyle, Austin, Sarah, Grace and Joshua, of Tampa; and Jonathan, Michael and Charlie, of Raleigh.

Sherri leaves behind many friends. In her words, "A small town is a big family.''

Funeral services will be held Wed. June 30, 2010, 9:00 am at Barron Park in LaBelle with Pastor John Bennett officiating. Interment will follow in Fort Denaud Cemetery, LaBelle.

Visitation will be Tuesday from 6-8 p.m. at Carlson Memorial United Methodist Church in LaBelle. Arrangements by Akin-Davis Funeral Home - LaBelle.