Charles William Cherry Sr.

CHARLES WILLIAM “CHUCK” CHERRY died Sunday morning, April 7, 2024 in Nashville, Tennessee. Chuck was born January 14, 1942, Houston County, Tennessee, the first of three children of Mary Emma (Askew) Cherry and Charles Edward Cherry, Jr. His parents predeceased him, as did his brother, Donald Eugene Cherry.

Chuck is survived by his wife of 23 years, Ruth “Ruthie” Brown Cherry and his three children: Diana Thompson Cherry Finlayson (Reid), Charles William “Bill” Cherry, Jr. (Kelli), and Mary Elizabeth Cherry Barrett (Charles). Chuck delighted in his eight grandchildren: Caroline and Claire Cherry, Aden, Diana, Evelyn, John and Collins Barrett, and Olivia Finlayson. He is also survived by his sister, Ann Cherry Pride (Don), and his sister-in-law, Judy Griffin Cherry, both of Dover TN, in addition to numerous nieces and nephews.

An excellent student athlete in high school and college, Chuck was proud to have played as an outfielder for the Vanderbilt Baseball Team for three years. He graduated from Vanderbilt University (1963) and was a member of Pi Kappa Alpha Fraternity, and a graduate of Vanderbilt Law School (1966). Chuck enlisted in the Marines (1966) and served with distinction in Vietnam in the Judge Advocate General’s (JAG) Office (1968). When returning from Vietnam in 1969, he joined the Attorney General’s office for two years. Later he joined Thompson & Green Machinery (1972-1982) as Credit Manager. As a lawyer, Chuck worked in the Juvenile Justice System representing children charged with crimes and helping to rehabilitate them.

Chuck especially enjoyed delivering Meals on Wheels from St. Luke’s Community House and ushering at Westminster Presbyterian Church for many years. He was a valued friend to those who knew him.

Chuck and Ruthie married later in their lives (2000) and filled their years together with travel, weekend trips to Monteagle, TN and Ponte Vedra, FL and enjoyed watching sports including Vanderbilt.

Honorary pallbearers are Kay Alexander, Robert G. Calton, Greer Cummings, Edward Cherry, French McKnight, Pat Meadows, De Pride, Charles Russell and Dr. Michael J. Spalding. Friends and family are invited to a Celebration of Life on Friday, April 26, at Westminster Presbyterian Church. Visitation will begin at 1:00PM followed by Service of the Resurrection at 3:00PM. The Service will be livestreamed at www.nashvillewpc.church.

In lieu of flowers, please consider a contribution to the Charles William Cherry Baseball Scholarship at Vanderbilt University (Vanderbilt University, Gift & Donor Services, 2301 Vanderbilt Place, PMB 407727, Nashville TN 37240-7727), Westminster Presbyterian Church (3900 West End Avenue, Nashville TN 37205) or St. Luke’s Community House (5601 New York Avenue, Nashville, TN 37209).