BY BRANDY TEMPLETON

Mabethel Luaury Mills Sherrill is officially a centenarian.

Born to Pink and Ester Mills on March 20, 1923, Sherrill is now the matriarch of a large family that gathered over the weekend to celebrate her 100th birthday.

Her life is a testament to family, community and industriousness.

“I was raised on a farm in Iredell County,” she explained. “I know about working on the farm. I liked the hard work hoeing and picking cotton.”

Her family lived at Bell’s Crossroads near Mooresville for a long time, but they also moved around quite a bit.

“That’s just what families did back then — they moved around from place to place,” she said.

Growing up, Sherrill attended Sears Creek School, Thompson School, South Iredell Elementary, and Morningside School.

She didn’t complete traditional high school because she met and fell in love with William Sherrill in 1942. They were married for 50 years.

“We met in the community,” Sherrill shared. “Mom and Papa moved in a new community and we met like that.”

The couple had three boys and two girls, and she was a dedicated wife and mother. After being married a few years, Sherrill received her high school equivalency diploma.

It was important to put family first, she said, but her education mattered too. Throughout her life, she has actively served her family and the community, while continuing to better herself.

While raising her children and being a dedicated wife to William, she was involved in community clubs and organizations. She also worked outside the home to contribute to her household.

“I’ve had some good memories raising my family and working hard in the factory,” Sherrill shared. “I really love the hard work. I was trained to work. I worked hard all my life.”

She worked as a seamstress for years for Troutman Shirt Company. During that time, she also sewed clothing for community members as a side business.

“I sewed for different ones,” Sherrill said. “Some said it was pretty.”

Later, she was inspired to further her education and decided to work as a florist. Sherrill took a course and received a diploma so she could make beautiful arrangements for people.

Her favorite flowers were roses and carnations.

“I ran my flower shop in my home with a license,” she said. “It was called Sherrill’s Flower Shop. I sold a lot.”

She loved being part of her church. As a child, she attended Congregation Church and later joined a Baptist church.

“I brought my children up in church too,” Sherrill said. “That’s the most important thing you can do for your children.”

Elder Chris Daniels met Sherrill at St. John’s Baptist Church.

“She’s always been so clean and had her stuff together,” he said. “A long life is a promise from God, and it’s evident you did something right.”

Sherrill has left a legacy of generations to show she did something right.

Her three living children, five grandchildren, two god-grandchildren, 11 great-grandchildren, and three great-great grandchildren are testimonies to the love she’s passed on.

“I’ve got a bunch of them,” Sherrill said.

She tries to see them as much as possible and continues be as active as possible.

Until the COVID-19 pandemic, Sherrill attended church regularly and worked out at the YMCA three times a week.

Now, she has to be more cautious so she doesn’t get sick.

“One day I hope to go back,” Sherril said. “Right now, I’m blessed to be 100.”

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