After battling cancer for eight years, on April 16, 2011 Thomas L. Cherry died peacefully, at his home, surrounded by his four children.
June 5, 1928 Thomas was born in Lewiston, NC to Sallie Peele and Leslie Humphrey, who died in 1932. They moved to Ahoskie in 1938 when his mother married J. Carlton Cherry.
He is a graduate of Ahoskie High School, Fishburne Military Academy, and Wake Forest University where he earned his BS and JD degrees. He practiced law with his father J. Carlton Cherry for over 35 years.
With a great love for his community, he enjoyed serving as a member and past president of the Ahoskie Jaycees, past president of the Ahoskie Rotary Club, A Paul Harris Fellow, past president of the Ahoskie Chamber of Commerce and legal counsel for the town of Ahoskie, as well as counsel for the N.C. Jaycees. He was a brother member of the Masonic Lodge No. 684 when he recently received his pin for 50 years of service. He was raised to Roanoke Chowan Shrine.
He proudly served his country during the Korean War.
He was an active member of First Baptist Church of Ahoskie where he taught the Fellowship Sunday School class for over 15 years.
Being an avid sportsman, he enjoyed spending his free time playing golf at Beechwood, and hunting and fishing on the Chowan and in the Atlantic Ocean. He loved being the captain of his boat, fishing, pulling the kids skiing. Spending time in the North Carolina mountains brought him much pleasure and inspiration as he wrote poetry. Tom Cherry loved spending time with his family and friends.
He was preceded in death by his parents and his loving wife of 53 years, Patricia W. Cherry. He is survived by his four children: Susan C. Keel and husband Ernie of Ahoskie, Anne C. Price and husband Hal of Clinton, Gail C. Richardson and husband Jack of Wilmington, Thomas Carlton Cherry of Palm Beach Gardens, Florida and seven grandchildren: Braxton, Ian and Logan Kinlaw, Walt and Landis Joyner and Leslie and Paul Richardson.
A Celebration of Life ceremony will be held at graveside on April 21st at 5PM at the Ahoskie Cemetery. The family will receive friends immediately following the service. In case of rain, the service will be at Garrett-Jones Funeral home. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to American Cancer Society Research 930 Wellness Dr # B Greenville, North Carolina 27834.
Susan,I am so sorry about your Dad. Just as we have shared so much through the years about the sicknesses of our parents, now we have lost our fathers almost at the same time. With a very heavy heart I wanted to convey my sympathy to you and your family.
Sincerely,
Rosa
On behalf of the Wake Forest Deacon Club, this message brings our heartfelt sympathy for the sorrow you feel.
Dear Anne, Susan, Gail and Thomas:
We wish to extend to each of you our sincere sympathy on the passing of your father. It gives us comfort to know that he and your mother are finally together again. We truly give thanks for our experiences and memories with each of you, and your parents, during the Ridgecroft years. May all your happy memories with your parents sustain you through this sad time. Please know you are in our thoughts and prayers.
Love,
Van and Linda
To all of Tom’s children and grandchildren I extend my heartrfelt sympanthy in the loss of your Dad and Granddad. I had the pleasure of being a classmate at Ahoskie High(class of ’45) and again at Wake Forest College. My contact with him was very limited since 1951 when I moved out of state.A fine person and I know he will be greatly missed by all.
To the Cherry Family Children:
I am sorry to learn of the passing of your father and the earlier passing of your mother. I remember many good times enjoyed with Mr. Cherry at Beechwood. He was always a character admired by many. My thoughts and prayers are with you.
Anne & Susan, whom I am more familiar with, other than dealing with your parents passing within a short time of the other, I hope life is good for you. I am always hoping our paths will cross again one day for a visit. Take care and my sympathy is with you.
Dear Family,
Some days ago, maybe in March, we saw your Dad at the doctors’ office. We could tell that he had changed so much but we also realize that he has been fighting a good fight for a long time.
Know that our thoughts and prayers are with you at this time.
Sincerely,
Elaine and Lawrence Myers
I first met Tom Cherry in 1961–I was a high school student from Gates Co. playing American Legion baseball. Tom and his father were very supportive of the American Legion team.I enjoyed knowing him for many years after we moved to Ahoskie in 1968. Know that my thoughts and prayers are with you.
Carl D. Taylor
I never met Mr. Cherry, but I know and love his wonderful daughter, Anne. It takes a special parent to raise such a caring, loving child. You are all in my thoughts and prayers.
I got to know Tom while I worked in the Register of Deeds office in Hertford County until I retired in 2009 and moved to MN. I was raised in Kelford across the street from his aunt Louise who played a big part of my childhood. I never knew until her death that she was related to Tom.
Tom was an interesting man who loved Hertford County and his family.
My thoughts and prayers are with the family of Mr.Tom Cherry. I was honored to have known such a nice, kind hearted gentleman and to share lots of laughts especially about our pets. He will be missed by many , but never forgotten. You can rest now pain free along beside your bride, Mrs.Pat whom is there awaiting your arrivial in Heaven. So long friend, but not good-bye.