Sheryl Lynn Gaston

Please click here to view the Live Stream of the Funeral Service. The Live Stream will begin at 11:00am on Wednesday, December 9th, 2020.

Celebrating the Life and Legacy 

of 

Dr. Sheryl Lynn Gaston 

Sheryl Lynn Gaston, 61 of Baltimore, MD, born on December 7, 1958 in Pittsburgh, PA to the late Raymond Allen and Karole Fern Russ, went to rest with the Lord on Wednesday, December 2, 2020 at Northwest Hospital surrounded by her 3 children, Christopher, Jamil and Yukia. Sheryl was raised by her mother, Karole, and stepfather, James C. Covington, who loved her dearly. After graduating from Penn Circle High School in 1977, Sheryl left Pittsburgh to marry Charles A. Gaston, and moved to Fitchburg, MA where she studied Business Administration and received her Associates Degree from Babson and Mount Wachusett Community College in 1983. 

Her 15-year career, began in 1977 in Corporate America as a Finance & Accounting manager; however, she desired more education, which she pursued and graduated from Lesley College in 1990, receiving a Bachelor’s in Business Management. By 1991, the company she worked for expanded and relocated her to Maryland, which she has called home since.  In 1992, she stepped out on faith to work for the Lord and retired from Corporate America. She started her own company, Covington Diversity Programs, which concentrated on helping the community through mental therapy, mental wellness, family, marriage and substance abuse counseling as well as driver improvement courses, while simultaneously fighting Multiple Sclerosis which left the right side of her body paralyzed for weeks. Even during her own personal crisis, she continued to focus on her company.  It grew into a Certified Academic Institution, where she became the Dean of Education. In 1993, Sheryl received her Certificate of Ordination for Ministry from the National Christian Counselors Association. In 1994, she attended Cornerstone University, where she received her Master’s Degree in Clinical Therapy Pastoral Counseling. After striving to receive many certifications and progressive degrees from multiple universities and programs, her continued diligence paid off in 2001.  She achieved her PHD as Doctorates of Philosophy in Clinical Counseling from Cornerstone University. 

Dr. Sheryl L. Gaston did the Lord’s work by practicing Christian Counseling. Her ministry began in the community, but more importantly, she was a role model to her children and her children’s children.  She was actively visiting nursing homes and praying for the elderly, she sang in her church choir, as well as participated in annual Christmas plays at church. She also was involved in the community as a Girl’s Scout Troop Leader and volunteered in her children's schools.  All her sacrifice and contributions to society honored her the Governor's Service Award for Maryland in the year 2000. She later took it a step further by partnering with Anne Arundel County Police Department, where she received continued numerous accolades from 2001-2005.  In 2001, she was awarded the Anne Arundel County Police Departments Commanders Award, 2002, the Chief Award, in 2004, the Commander’s Award, and in 2005, another Service Award.  You can also find her in the 2011-2012 Cambridge Who's Who recognized as an honored member. 

For many years, she actively fought her disease, Multiple Sclerosis (MS), by attending statewide annual MS walks in addition to, being a leading advocate in her MS support groups in Bowie, MD.  

She loved and enjoyed spending time with family.  She found joy in looking forward to all the holidays because it brought immediate loved ones and extended family together. Her serenity and peace were found in her daily pleasures of caring for her pets and feeding birds in the backyard.     

She was predeceased by her Grandmother, Marjorie Thomas; Parents, Karole Russ, Raymond Allen & Stepfather, James Covington; Sister, Karole Joyce Covington; and Granddaughter, Kristina Gaston.

Her legacy is to forever be remembered as she is survived by her first son, Christopher J. Gaston of Hagerstown, second son, Jamil J. Gaston of Baltimore, and daughter, Yukia F. Gaston-Howard of Crofton, Maryland; 9 Grandchildren, Elijah, Charles, Layla, Krystal, Janel, Khaliah, Ethan, Krysten, and Skylar; 3 sisters, Terryl Wilson of Springfield, MA, Lisa Goodman of Springfield, MA, and Victoria Smith of Springfield, MA; and other nephews, nieces, family, extended family and friends. 

Her favorite verse: Proverbs 15:6 In the house of the righteous there is much treasure: but in the revenue of the wicked is trouble.

In Lieu of flowers, memorial contributions can be made to the National Multiple Sclerosis Society for the greater DC Maryland area at:

https://www.nationalmssociety.org/Chapters/MDM/Donate