William Layafette Cherry departed this life on January 20, 2019. He was born on February 16, 1943 in Lewiston, NC (Bertie County) to the late Norman S. Cherry Sr. and Versie Peele Cherry Watson.
William had a love for cars at an early age. He repaired and built antique vehicles in Portsmouth and the surrounding area for 50 years.
He leaves to cherish his memory: his wife of 54 years, Florence N. Cherry of Portsmouth; five children, W. Lynell Cherry (Nina) of Portsmouth, Cynthia Cherry Bailey (Bryan) of Chesapeake, N. Maurice Cherry of Virginia Beach, Keith Cherry of Portsmouth and Tommie Cherry of Portsmouth; one brother, Norman Cherry Jr. (Jean) of Lewiston, NC; 11 grandchildren, Jamar, Terell, Devon, William, Cynthia, Zion, Joy, Jewel, Ryan, Keniya and Tommie Jr.; two Aunts, Beulah Peele Bond and Coleen Peele McGlone both of Lewiston, NC; nieces, nephews, cousins, and a host of good friends. A public viewing memorium will be held on Saturday, January 26, 2019, from 1 pm to 6 pm at Corprew Funeral Home and a private family graveside service will be held on the family lot in Lewiston, NC.
God saw him getting tired, and a cure was not to be
So he put His arms around him and whispered “Come to me”
With tearful eyes we watched him suffer, and saw him slowly fade away.
Although we loved him dearly, we could not make him stay. A golden heart
stopped beating, hard working hands put to rest. God broke our hearts to prove to us,
He only takes the best…
