Charles E. Cherry

CHARLES EDWARD CHERRY was born January 18, 1922, in Hanover County, Virginia. He was the eldest of two sons born to Sara Fountain Cherry and her husband Theodore Cherry. On October 6, 2019, God called his name, and he peacefully departed this life. When Charles and his younger brother Bernard were still children, the Cherry's relocated to Baltimore where Charles was educated in the public schools. He attended Dunbar High School, in the beloved East side neighborhood where lived. Reared in the Christian home of his parents, Charles received his indoctrination at Fountain Baptist Church, the family's church home. It was there, where he accepted Christ at an early age. Charles acquired many lifelong friends on his journey into manhood. His character was steadfast and true. He had an easy-going kind of personality coupled with a sharp, though not biting wit. He was an attractive man whose genuine qualities made him easy to befriend. In 1944 Cherry enlisted in the United States Army where he fought in the "war to end all wars", World War II. Cherry was proud of his service and was amongst the brave men who stormed the beach at Normandy to liberate France. The battle that took place at Normandy was one of the bloodiest. Many lives were lost and many of his friends did not return from that war. Charles always had the flag on display on his front porch and he wore his World War II Veterans cap with pride and honor. In 1949 Cherry married the love of his life, the former Elizabeth (Brownie) Jones. The couple made their home in northwest Baltimore on Mondawmin Avenue. Their union was blessed with the birth of their daughter and only child, Robin Marie. Quite naturally these two held the space at the center of his heart. His beloved Brownie preceded him in death (December 25, 1996). Cherry and his daughter had a very special bond. The term "thick as thieves" comes to mind when recalling the relationship they had. He was surely a doting father and was so proud of her and of the woman she;d become. Robin, in turn was a true Daddy's girl. She was devoted to her Dad and his wellbeing in every aspect of his life and especially so, once her mother passed. She remained his best friend and advocate even unto the day he died. Charles worked in construction, after a brief stint as a steelworker at Sparrows Point. He worked 37 years in the construction trades and retired in 1985 from Roy Kirby and Sons. Upon retirement, Charles started a new job. This job was one he'd never envisioned. And though he never thought he'd be working so soon after his retirement, nor that he'd ever be working pro bono; he took on the position of chauffeur, for Sara and Courtney, fetching them from school or taking them to a practice or work. Pop-pop's chauffeur service became so popular, that before he knew it, he'd acquired two new clients when Christopher James and Lauren Givens were added to his route at Roland Park middle school. I can see him shaking his head in mock complaint. And though he'd never admit it, we think he secretly enjoyed doing it. Charles was affectionately known by several monikers. He was called Dad, Charles, Cherry, Uncle Cherry, Pop-Pop and the Chairman. But Pop-Pop was probably his favorite of all. His granddaughters Sara and Courtney and his great granddaughters Madison and Kearsten were the apples of his eye. He loved them so much and they were the source of great pride and joy for him. His buddies mostly called him Cherry. But when a man is blessed to live well into hi ninetieth decade, he awakens one day to find he had outlined all of his friends. It is an odd aspect which accompanies the special blessing of a long life. When Cherry lost his best friend, Leonard (Bootsie) Henderson, the family was glad that he embraced the idea of attending the Waxter Senior Center. He would take advantage of the gym there to keep himself physically fit and to hopefully make new friends. Well, it wasn't long before he began to complain, saying he was tired of hanging around all those "old people". Well, as fate would have it, he was introduced to a group of retired gentleman who called themselves the "Breakfast Buddies". These guys met on Friday mornings for breakfast and camaraderie. He was hesitant at first because these guys were so much younger. But he couldn't argue the fact that just about everyone was bound to be younger than him. Thanks to John Reed and Ronald Brown he was welcomed into the group and enjoyed the times spent with his new friends. Cherry was quite an active member of this group. After a while, John took to calling him "The Chairman of the Board". In his later years, Charles reconnected with the Cherry side of his family from Rhode Island, with whom he had never met. He began to attend his family reunions with all his girls in tow. He was happy to expose his girls to their extended family, where they were able to create a bond that appeared to have always existed. He really looked forward to the reunions with his family. And was recently recognized as the patriarch and oldest living Cherry. Although Cherry had just one biological daughter, he had a whole slew of children who claimed him as their own. These would be the guys and girls who are the close friends of his daughter Robin, most of whom he's known since they were children. He became their "Uncle Cherry", Robin's group of girlfriends, who are also known as "The Tribe", have embraced him with so much love, respect and admiration that he began to refer to them as "his girls". Robin would often admonish them to "stop spoiling him", a command that was always summarily ignored. Charles Cherry's was a life well lived. He was a man well loved. He was favored to have lived to be 97 years old. And though we know how blessed we were to have had him with us for and uncommon length of time; We are devastated by our loss. We thank God for the life of Charles Edward Cherry and we rejoice in his triumph. For, we know he is with Our Eternal father in heaven, reunited with his beloved wife and family. Charles Cherry is survived by his daughter, Robin M. Howard; granddaughters, Sara G. Sharpe (Kheli) and Courtney N. Howard; his great granddaughters, Madison Wells and Kearsten Sharpe; son-in-law, Chet Howard; his devoted friend, John Reid; a doting niece, Marguerite Brown. Also, to cherish his memory are loving nieces and nephews, great nieces and nephews, a host of other relatives and friends.

Tributes

Charles E. Cherry

January 18, 1922 - October 6, 2019