By Staff
Mrs. Shirley Gurganus Cherry, age 73, a resident of 1042 Highway 171 North, Old Ford Community, Washington, died Monday, March 2, 2009 at Britthaven of Washington.
Funeral services will be held at 2 p.m. Thursday, March 5, 2009 at the Old Ford Church of Christ, conducted by Eddie Bowen and Thelbert Leggett. Burial will follow in Oakdale Cemetery, Washington.
The following will serve as pallbearers: Eddie Cherry, Jr., Charles Cherry, Jr., Jeff Bullock, Garrett Voliva, Don Kennedy II, and Tommy Hale.
Mrs. Cherry was born in Beaufort County on October 16, 1935. She was the daughter of the late Charles Jackson Gurganus and Fannie Mae Chesson Gurganus. Mrs. Cherry graduated from Washington High School and retired as quality control inspector at National Spinning. She was a member of Old Ford Church of Christ, Circle #1, the JOY group, and Christian Workers (Barnabus) Sunday School Class.
After her retirement, Mrs. Cherry enjoyed cake decorating and catering. She loved painting and making crafts. Mrs. Cherry was a baby sitter for her grandkids as well as other children in the neighborhood. She loved going to baseball and softball games and traveling with her husband. “Shirley will be remembered as a loving wife, mother, and grandmother who loved her family, church family as well as cooking and gardening.”
On December 23, 1955, she married Willis Little Cherry, who preceded her in death, April 16, 2005.
Mrs. Cherry is survived by her daughter, Cynthia “Cindy” Cherry Grimm and her husband, Bruce of Washington; her sons, Charles “Freddie” Cherry and his wife, Cindy of Chocowinity, Franklin “Eddie” Cherry of Belhaven; five grandchildren, April Cherry Bullock and her husband, Jeff, Brandon Cherry Kennedy and her husband, Don, Franklin “Eddie” Cherry, Jr. and his wife, Krystal, Charles F. Cherry, Jr. and his wife, Heather, Amy Cherry Voliva and her husband, Garrett; eight great grandchildren, Kaylee Paige Elks, Franklin E. “Tres” Cherry III, Charles “Trey” Cherry III, Landon Allen Bullock, Christian Willis Bullock, Walker Gray Kennedy, Emaleigh Grace Cherry, Mackenzie Marie Voliva; two brothers, Charlie Jackson “C.J.” Gurganus and his wife, Pat of Robersonville, Stanley Gurganus and his wife, Sylvia of Great Bridge, VA; and one sister, Thelma Jefferson and her husband, Linwood of Washington and a special friend Marilyn Hale of Washington. The family would like to express a special thanks to the staff of Britthaven.
The family will receive friends from 7 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. Wednesday, March 4, 2009 at Paul Funeral Home, Washington and other times at the home of her daughter, Cindy at 1076 Highway 171 North, Washington.
Flowers are appreciated or memorials may be made to the Alzheimer’s Association, Eastern N.C. Chapter, 400 Oberlin Road, Suite 220, Raleigh, NC 27605 or the Old Ford Church of Christ, 6040 U.S. Highway 17 North, Washington, NC 27889.
Mrs. Cherry’s guestbook may be signed by visiting www.paulfuneralhome.com.
Paul Funeral Home of Washington is serving the Cherry family.
Paid Obituary