Joe Sherrill, Jr

Joe Sherrill, Jr., age 95 was born January 15, 1926 in Catawba Co., NC and departed this life November 18, 2021 at Cape Fear Valley Medical Center in Fayetteville.  Joe was a Parkton resident for 54 years. In 1938, at the age of 12 his family moved to Parkton. After graduating from high school, he joined the US Navy at the age of 17 to serve his country during WWII. He was a radio operator on the USS-LSM51 in the Pacific Theater of Operations. His most harrowing experiences involved witnessing an air assault on an ammunition ship in his convoy, and combating kamikaze attacks. After the war, he was honorably discharged in 1946.

In 1948 he married Melba Crenshaw and soon had a crew of his own, seven sons and two daughters. In 1950 he went to work with the NC National Guard as an administrative technician in St. Pauls. In 1964 the family moved from St. Pauls to Parkton, where he continued his work with the National Guard. In 1981 he went on active duty serving in the Washington DC area, and later in Atlanta, GA. In 1986, after 40 years of military service, Joe retired as a Chief Warrant Officer 4, retiring to Parkton.

In the 60’s and 70’s Joe served the citizens of Parkton as Scout Master for the Boy Scouts, and also as a volunteer fireman. During this time he was known to many of Parkton’s youth as “Uncle Joe”. He was frequently found playing backyard basketball and pickup football with his kids, and kids from all around town. Today he is affectionately known by many as “Papa Joe.”

He was known for his passionate Christian faith. He served in many capacities at the Parkton Methodist Church including teaching Sunday School, and creating the Sunday Bulletins even into his 90’s.

While he enjoyed sports of all kinds, he particularly enjoyed playing golf and was able to shoot his age in his 70’s, 80’s and 90’s. He also easily adapted to the latest changes in technology involving computers, printers and his cell phone.

Joe was preceded in death by the love of his life, Melba whom he was married to for 63 years. He is survived by children, Joe (Connie) of Tarboro, NC, Dicky (Cathy) of Norfolk, VA, Bobby of Meridian MS, Jimmy (Shirley) of Virginia Beach, VA, Steve (Debbie) of Eastover, NC, David (Stacey) of Fayetteville NC, Nancy (Bo) of Parkton, NC, Bryan of Woodstock, GA, and Karen (Chris) of Stafford, VA, 17 grandchildren, and 23 great-grandchildren; sister Linda Darden Hall, and sisters-in-law, Lillian Rogers Sherrill, Hilda Crenshaw Ward, Melba Brown Crenshaw and many nieces and nephews.

Services are being rendered by McNeill-Legacy Funeral Home of St. Pauls.