Culver City Observer -

Sheryl Jane Tompkins, 65, died Sunday, February 18, at her home after a long illness. Sheryl was born to Margaret Jane (Russell) and Raymond Owen Tompkins on May 9, 1958, in Orange, CA. She grew up the youngest of three sisters and graduated from Foothill high school in 1976. She married John Burton on May 6, 2007.

Sheryl was a long-time resident of Culver City and a beloved bartender at the Prince O'Whales in Playa del Rey, where she cultivated many deep friendships over the decades. An avid ceramicist, Sheryl shared her artwork through sales and fairs as "Just Kiln Me" and taught others her craft at Santa Monica College and pottery studios. Sheryl was known as "Beemer" to her nieces

and their families.

Sheryl is survived by her husband John; step-daughter Michaella Burton, of Los Angeles; her sisters, Sydney Perry (Daryl) of Indiahoma, OK, and Susan Hart of Birmingham, AL; three nieces, Mari Walker (Shawn) of Baton Rouge, LA, Lisa McCrary

(Doug) of Birmingham, AL, and Beth Perry of Lawton, OK; six great-nephews and great-niec- es, Owen, Jane, Lucy, Samantha, Livia and Charlie; and many, many dear friends. She was preceded in death by her parents.

A celebration of Sheryl's life will be planned in the coming months.