Ella M. Cherry

Mother Ella Mae Cherry, the granddaughter of the late Pittman Freeman, slave master, and the slave girl Rachael Freeman, was born August 1, 1909 in Bertie County, North Carolina. She was the fifth of fifteen children that blessed the union of the late William Edward Freeman and Minnie Freeman Freeman. Mother Cherry received her academic education at home taught by her father and she developed a thirst for learning. Her religious education was received at Zion Baptist Church, North Carolina where she was baptized and accepted the Lord Jesus Christ as her personal Savior. Mother Cherry met and married Willie Roosevelt Cherry, who preceded her in death after fifty-two years and six months of marriage. To this union three children were born. On December 27, 1945, the family relocated to Baltimore, Maryland where she united with the Gospel Land Baptist Church and served until she moved her membership in 1993 to Mount Tabor Baptist Church. She became very active working in the soup kitchen, missionary board and was chosen Mother of the Church until the Lord called her home. She was very dedicated to God, her church, and her church family, where everyone affectionately called “Mother.” The Lord blessed her with the gifts of songs in 1993, which she loved to sing and record on her tape player. Mother would bless her Pastor and her church family with the songs God gave her. Mother Cherry was a devoted, supportive and compassionate wife, mother, grandmother, aunt and friend. She was a kind and caring woman who was always willing to help others in need. Mother Cherry opened her home to foster children throughout the city and raised two nephews and two nieces as her own. In the late afternoon hours of August 30, 2002, Mother Cherry marched triumphantly into glory while at Good Samaritan Nursing Center. Her husband, Willie R. Cherry; son, Edward R. Cherry; daughters, Beatrice Cherry and Clementine Clark; nephews, John and Noah Walston and siblings also preceded her home. She leaves to rejoice in her victory: her daughters, Janice Arnold and Linda Alston; granddaughters, Ella T. Davis, Kimberly Davis, Tiffany Arnold, Shere Woodrum and Valerie Cherry; two grandsons, Timothy Davis and Noah Walston; a host of nieces and nephews, one sister-in-law, Carrie Bell Cherry; one son-in-law, one godson, Gregory Lane; one goddaughter, Janice Gentry; and a host of many relatives and friends.

Tributes

Ella M. Cherry

August 1, 1909 - August 30, 2002