Rachel Smith Sherriff

Funeral services will be held at Friendly Avenue Baptist Church at 2 p.m. on Tuesday, November 25, 2014. Burial will follow at Westminster Gardens Cemetery.

Born November 23, 1924 in Pelzer, South Carolina to the late Horace and Susie Nelson Smith, Mrs. Sherriff was a loving and devoted wife, mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, sister, aunt, and friend. Rachel met her husband, R. Fred Sherriff in grade school. She graduated Valedictorian of her senior class in 1941, the same year as Fred Sherriff. Rachel attended Anderson College and Winthrop College. She graduated in 1945 with a degree in Home Economics. Rachel and Fred were married on September 18, 1945 while he was serving in the United States Army during World War II.

Over the years the couple was blessed to have three children. Wherever they lived, she was an active member of the local Baptist Church. Her services at her churches included Sunday School Teacher, Children's Ministries, Circles, Women's Missionary Union, and Baptism Committee, and Senior Choir.

Rachel and Fred moved to Greensboro in 1976 and joined Friendly Avenue Baptist Church. After her beloved husband passed away in 1991, she continued to serve the Lord.

In addition to her parents and husband, Rachel was preceded in death by a son, Timothy Sherriff; a sister, Jean Culberson; a brother, Nelson G. Smith and his wife Lillie; step-father, Julian Wilson; an infant grandson, Joshua Sherriff; and a sister-in-law, Mildred Sherriff Gantt.

Those left to cherish her memory include her daughter, Sandra "Becky" Sherriff of Greensboro; son, Steve Sherriff and his wife Nancy of Salisbury; daughter-in-law, Diane Sherriff of Alabama; sister, Mary Sue Stewart of California; brother, Richard Smith and his wife Rosa of Graham; grandchildren, Mark Sherriff and his wife Amanda, Andrew Sherriff, Beth Sherriff Johnson and husband Morris, Jacob Sherriff and wife Leah, Jennifer Gilbert Thompson and husband Mikel; and Kevin Sherriff and fianc‚, Katie Gates; four great-grandchildren; and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, great-nieces, great-nephews and extended family and friends.

The family would like to express their heartfelt gratitude for four years of great caring from Home Instead and also a special thanks to Hospice and Palliative Care of Greensboro, and to nurse Wendy Slingerland, RN.In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Hospice and Palliative Care of

Greensboro, 2500 Summit Ave., Greensboro, NC 27405, or to Friendly Avenue Baptist Church, c/o Children's Ministries, or to any children's charity.The family will receive friends from 1 until 2 p.m., one hour prior to the service, in the church sanctuary on Tuesday.

Hanes-Lineberry Vanstory Chapel has the honor of assisting the Sherriff Family. Online condolences may be made at www.haneslineberryfuneralhomes.com