Mary Nell Worley Cherry

Mary Nell Worley Cherry died suddenly on Saturday, October 22 at her home in New Waverly, Texas. Her life was distinguished by her utmost love and devotion to family and to God. She was born the eighth of nine children on November 4, 1924 to Frank W. and Freda Worley in Rockdale, Texas. There were seven girls and two boys who all grew up on the family farm in the San Gabriel community. The sisters were known far and wide as simply “the Worley girls”. After graduation from the San Gabriel school at age 16 she married the love of her life, Frederick Paul Cherry, who had been the agriculture education teacher at the school. They lived in Troy, Texas for a brief time before his call to service in World War II. After the war, they lived for several years in Burnet, Texas before moving to New Waverly in 1953 to take over the Cherry family general store business. They shared a loving marriage for 55 years until his death in 1996. She was a lifelong member of the Baptist Church and demonstrated her faith through service to others. She was a volunteer for many church activities such as vacation bible school for community children and the visitation program for the elderly and home bound. She also served on the board of directors for the Gulf Coast Trades Center which provides education and nurturing for disadvantaged and troubled youth so that they may have a chance to be productive members of society. She is survived by her son, F. Boyd Cherry and wife Zou of Bryan, daughters Paulette Wells and husband Mike of New Waverly, and Melanie Underwood and husband Dan also of New Waverly; grandchildren: Heather Thrash and husband Randy of Tomball, Austin T. Powers of Gilbert, Arizona, Brandon Underwood and wife Ronda of New Waverly, Kara Novotny and husband Rob of Haslet, and Autumn McDonald and husband Wes of New Waverly; great grandchildren: Trevor and Amber Thrash, Zane Underwood, Emry and Keaton Novotny, Ella and Bailey McDonald. She is also survived by her sisters Lula Stewart of Cameron and Evelyn Kauffman and husband Norman of Texarkana. Visitation with the family will be held at Sam Houston Funeral Home in Huntsville from 5:30 to 7:30 on Tuesday, October 25. Funeral services will be at the First Baptist Church in New Waverly at 11 a.m. on Wednesday, October 26, with Dr. John D. Andrews officiating and Rev. Mark Woodward assisting. Burial will follow at Hill Cemetery in New Waverly. Serving as pallbearers will be: Brandon Underwood, Austin T. Powers, Randy Thrash, Trevor Thrash, Rob Novotny, and Wes McDonald. The family has designated the First Baptist Church, 460 Fisher Street, New Waverly, Texas 77358, and the New Waverly Public Library, 9372 State Highway 75 S, New Waverly, Texas 77358 for memorials. Those wishing to leave memorial condolences for the family may do so at www.shmfh.com.

Mary Nell Worley Cherry

November 4, 1924 - October 26, 2011