Woodford Alexander Sherrill

Woodford A. Sherrill, 90, of Ellerbe, beloved husband, father and grandfather, passed away Friday, March 02, 2012 at FirstHealth Richmond Memorial Hospital in Rockingham, following a brief illness. Mr. Sherrill was born December 10, 1921 in Richmond County, a son of the late Roderick Webb and Lula Dora Rankin Sherrill.He was a graduate of Ellerbe School, Class of 1939 and later served on the Ellerbe School Board. He was an active member of Jackson Springs Presbyterian Church where he was appointed as a Deacon at age 24, later served as an Elder for 50 years and had taught Sunday School. He was a custom homebuilder by profession, and used his carpentry skills to do repairs in and around the church as needed and to help build Camp McCall. He built a gazebo at Jones Springs United Methodist Church in memory of his mother. He had a great interest in genealogy. He helped list all the cemeteries in Richmond County, which are in book form and placed in local and other libraries and helped many people locate family graves and also trace their family trees. He was awarded a Life Membership in the Richmond County Historical Society for all his work in various projects of the society. He was instrumental in the restoration of the Bostick School House, of which he and Lillian served as caretakers. Surviving are his wife of 64 years, Lillian McFayden Sherrill of the home; son, David Sherrill and wife Jackie of Ellerbe; daughters, Brenda Baucom and husband Thomas of Rockingham, Nancy Robbins and husband Ray, of Rockingham; grandchildren, Brian Baucom and wife Genny of Rockingham, Trey Robbins and wife Emily of Rockingham, Ryan Baucom of Chapel Hill, Sherri R. Boyle and husband Johnathan of Ellerbe, Ashley Sherrill and fiance Andy Cagle of Southern Pines;and great-grandchildren, Braden Baucom, Carson Boyle, Levi Boyle and Caroline Robbins. He was preceded in death by a grandson, Alex Sherrill. A service to celebrate Woodford’s life will be held at 3 pm Sunday at Jackson Springs Presbyterian Church with Rev. Suzanne Simpson officiating. Interment will be held privately in Ellerbe Cemetery. The family will see friends from 4 to 6 pm Saturday at Carter Funeral Home in Ellerbe and at other times at the home. Memorials may be made to Jackson Springs Presbyterian Church, P.O.Box 7, Jackson Springs, NC 27281 or to the Alex Sherrill Memorial Scholarship Fund, c/o BB&T, P.O.Box 1028, Rockingham, NC 28380. Woodford had a wonderful life. He counted his many blessings everyday for his family, church family and friends.