Obituaries

Monroe Thomas Sherrill of Denver went home to be with the Lord on September the 12^th, 2012.

Son of the late Houston H. and Lottie Helton Sherrill, he was born on November 10, 1926 in Lincoln County. He spent his early years working on the family dairy farm and saw mill, but left at the age of 18 to serve his country in the Marine Corp. After his honorable discharge he returned to work on the family farm and worked there for over 17 years until the farm was sold.  He then went to work at various GM dealerships where he became a certified master mechanic. Considering that the area he lived in was “NASCAR” country, it was only natural that his ability as a mechanic lead to an interest in auto racing.  You would often find him at Hickory Motor Speedway on Saturday night working in the pit crew for local drivers. Over the years he liked going to NASCAR races and later on, watching it on television and pulling for his favorite Chevy to win.  He also used his mechanical skills to keep the buses going for the Beth Haven Baptist church bus ministry helping bring many children to and from church every Sunday.

His love of all things farm related stayed with him so he left the auto mechanic trade and began working on farm equipment.  By the time he retired he was well known in North and South Carolina as an expert in farm equipment repair and was often called on by manufacturers to help solve problems.  He never officially retired because he frequently received calls from farmers asking for his advice.

During his “semi” retirement he got involved in antique tractor pulling.  Usually on a Saturday you would find him competing with one of his big orange Allis Chalmers tractors and coming home with a first place trophy or two.

In addition to his serving his country as a Marine, he also served his community as a volunteer fire fighter and was one of the founding members of the Denver Volunteer Fire Department.

Mr. Sherrill was preceded in death by his granddaughter, Beverly Arrowood, a brother Griffin M. Sherrill, and a sister, Nancy E. Sherrill.

He is survived by his wife of 66 years, Christine Sigmon Sherrill; 4 daughters, Sandra Auton (Bud), Sheila Benfield (Gary), Tracy Painter (Ray), and Donna Henderson; 7 grandchildren, Terry Auton, Zachary Arrowood, Wesley and Jordan Painter, Anthony Bourne and Nate and Anna Henderson; 5 great-grandchildren, Lucas and Benjamin Auton, Samuel and Sarah Painter, and Jace Bourne.

He is also survived by 3 sisters, Ruby Caldwell, Lois Bean and Dorothy Schronce all of Denver.

Funeral services will be held at the church at 3:00 PM on Saturday, September the 15^th at Beth Haven Baptist Church in Denver NC.  Burial will follow in the church cemetery.  The family will receive friends at the church beginning at 1:00 PM prior to the service.

The family requests that in lieu of flowers donations be made to Catawba Regional Hospice,  3975 Robinson Road, Newton NC 28658