Obituaries

Martha Cherry Gaskill, age 64, of 8394 Unity Church Road in Denver, died on Thursday, June 21, 2012.

Her funeral service will be conducted at 3:00 PM on Monday, June 25, 2012 at Unity Presbyterian Church with the Rev. Carol Clark officiating.  Burial will follow in the church cemetery.   The family will receive friends at the church from 1:00 until 2:45 PM prior to the service. 

Mrs. Gaskill was born July 28, 1947 in Iredell County to the late Harold Harvey and Lockie Jane Howard Cherry.   She graduated from Rock Springs High School in 1965 and then attended Plaza School of Beauty Culture.  She opened her own salon, “Snip-n-Curl”, in 1984.  She worked as a beautician for thirty years.  Mrs. Gaskill drove a school bus and worked in the cafeteria at Rock Springs Elementary School for many years while her children were growing up.  She was an active member of Unity Presbyterian Church for 53 years and served as custodian for 30 years.  She also volunteered as a beautician for Hospice of Lincoln County.  Her hobbies included sewing, shopping, and attending her girls’ and grandchildren’s ballgames.   Her children nicknamed her “General McMartha” because she was the “general” of the Gaskill Girls, and still today she is affectionately known by many as “Mama G”.

She is survived by her loving and devoted husband of 41 years, James L. Gaskill of the home; four daughters, Kelli Hogue and husband Ken, Rebecca Gaskill, Rachel Gaskill Laurenson, and Jane Pethel and husband Brock, all of Denver; ten  grandchildren, Kiley Jane, Kenton, Kooper, and Katie Lou Hogue; Jimmy Scott; Georgia and Jeb Laurenson; and Emery Jane, Lane, and Greenley Pethel. (Or as Mamaw would say “Greenery”).  She is also survived by her brother, Steve Cherry and wife Gailya, their daughters Lana Parrish and husband Jimmy; Allison Horne and husband Dennis, and their families, all of Denver; and nephew Kevin Cherry of Washinton D.C. 

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Hospice of Lincoln County, 107 N. Cedar Street, Lincolnton, NC  28092.