Wilma Sherrill celebrated her 100th birthday last Friday at LifeCare Center with a big birthday celebration with dozens of friends, family and Cumberland County Mayor Allen Foster.
Her party at LifeCare Center was attended by dozens of family members and friends from Celina, TN to Saint Mary’s, OH, Crossville and Maryville.
Children, grandkids, great-grandchildren, nephews, nieces, daughter-in-laws and friends were in attendance. Guests sang happy birthday and greeted Sherrill throughout the party.
“It was a grand party celebrating a special lady,” said Sherrill’s nephew, Jim Kerley.
Wilma Sherrill was born July 12, 1924 to Jim and Nannie Kerley in the head of the Sequatchie Valley, and was the youngest of 10 children. She helped her parents on the farm, whether gathering and hoeing corn, gardening or cooking on the wood stove.
According to Kerley, Sherrill would travel to the local country store on horseback to trade eggs for flour and sugar, or check on mail. She also wrote letters to her brother Ulysses and then boyfriend Archie who were serving in WWII.
She eventually married Archie Sherrill and the couple bought a small farm on Vandever Rd. in Cumberland County. She and Archie had five children: Frances, Alvin, Thomas, Calvin and Tony.
Sherrill attributes her long life to getting up early and staying active. She loved to grow large gardens and tend to her flowers.
Sherrill has a strong faith in God that has sustained her throughout her life.
Sherrill read dozens of birthday cards and well wishes as guests ate cake, drank beverages, visited and celebrated.