Mrs. Sherman was born June 4, 1921, in Pender County and was the daughter of the late Luther and Ida Belle Garriss. "Miss Edith" was preceded in death by her husband of sixty-five years, George P. Sherman; their daughter, Lindola Sherman Ellis; and her sister, Sarah Doris Garriss.
She is survived by a sister and best friend, Kathleen G. Wells and husband Baxter Wells; five daughters, Phyllis S. Murray and husband J. Horace Murray Jr., Sherrie S. Dunigan and husband Robert L. Dunigan; Jo S. Wainright, Jan S. Wessell and husband John C. Wessell III and Susan S. Robbins and husband William D. Robbins Jr.; son-in-law, Leslie Eugene Ellis; grandchildren, Allison D. Denning (David), Melinda D. Young (Jeff), Elizabeth D. Williams (Joel), William W. Beverage (Debbi), Luther P. Beverage (Norma), Sharon A. Murray, Tammy J. Tesh, Leslie W. Taylor (Vann), Caroline E. Wainright, Julia H. Wessell, W. Dudley Robbins III, Patrick S. Robbins; ten great-grandchildren; and numerous nieces and nephews. After spending many years as a stay-at-home wife and mother, she began working at the Pender County Library in 1962 and retired in 1982. Traveling throughout the county on the bookmobile, she was known by her patrons as "the bookmobile lady." It was her special gift to know the kinds of books each patron loved, and she regularly delivered them to their doorstep. As a charter member of Westview United Methodist Church, she served as the first president of the United Methodist Women. She served the church in a variety of capacities throughout her life including teaching Bible School and Sunday School and serving as communion steward. "Miss Edith" loved the church and has been loved by its many members. Her children and grandchildren lovingly recall her hot biscuits, delicious pound cakes, and tangy lemon pies. Friends say she never raised her voice and always had a smile to share. She instilled in her children and grandchildren a love and respect for books and the knowledge they possess. The family extends special thanks to her caregivers, Joyce Hansley and Wilhelmina Tramel, and to the Heart Sisters of Westview United Methodist Church. The family welcomes friends to visit on Friday, January 6, 2006, at her home from 1:00 to 6:00 p.m. The family will also receive friends in the fellowship hall of the church one hour prior to the service which will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Saturday, January 7, 2006, at Westview United Methodist Church, Highway 53 West, Burgaw, North Carolina, with the Rev. E.J. Highsmith officiating. Burial will follow at the Burgaw Cemetery. Casketbearers will be William Beverage Jr., Luther Beverage, Dudley Robbins III, Patrick Robbins, David Denning, Jeffrey Young, Joel Williams and Vann Taylor III. Memorials may be made to the Friends of the Pender County Library, PO Box 879, Burgaw, NC 28425, to Westview United Methodist Church, in care of Sara Lanier, 2877 Piney Woods Rd., Burgaw, NC 28425 or to the charity of one's choice. Quinn-McGowen Funeral Home and Cremation Center of Burgaw.