Cheri Sims Murrah

On June 22nd, Cheri Sims Murrah took her first breath in heaven. She spent her final precious moments surrounded by friends and family. She was a year and a half into a rectal cancer journey and often encouraged those that she spoke with to advocate for their own health by getting regular colonoscopies and closely monitoring any suspicious changes. Do not ignore them! (per Cheri’s advice!)

She was born in Augusta, Georgia and grew up in North Augusta, South Carolina. She attended Mars Hill University where she created a deep connection with her beloved mountains. She and her former spouse Tommy Murrah (Laura Webb-Murrah) spent many years in Madison County before moving to Durham, NC.

Cheri worked her entire adult life in an array of jobs ranging from teaching 3rd grade to serving as a human resources expert within a large insurance company to advising women and men as an image consultant. Her inherent gifts and these formative experiences culminated in her final job: coaching individuals to improve their lives and careers. Her innate empathy and unique set of skills helped many different people identify and optimize their own God-given talents while also overcoming their weaknesses. While coaching and helping others, she felt God’s pleasure and joy and soon came to realize that, in the end, no part of her meandering vocational path had been wasted.

Throughout her adult life, she maintained a variety of close and deep relationships that came out of either her various career paths, church, family or personal development experiences. In each personal relationship she had a special capacity to walk through life‘s ups and downs with loyalty and care. Cheri often referred to these special friendships as “her people”. When Cheri was your friend you could rely on her presence and support in your triumphs, suffering, and sicknesses. Of the many titles she held throughout her adult life and working career, that of Mom and Grandmother (LouLou) were the two she held closest to her heart with honor and privilege. She was elated to be involved in the lives and development of her grandsons who lived close to her home in Asheville, NC.

Preceded in death by her parents, Max S. Sims and Jo Ann Mullan Ross; her youngest brother, Duane B. Sims. Survived by her children, Caleb Murrah (Kelly Washatka), Lydia Murrah Roberts (Ben Roberts) and grandsons, Soren and Milo. Her surviving brother, Weldon Sims (Karin), nieces, Hannah Sims Schmidt and Rebecca Sims Sitafine and nephew, David Sims.

Service to gather of her family & friends will be held Saturday, June 29th at noon with reception to follow at Groce Funeral Home & Cremation Service of East Asheville, 856 Tunnel Rd, Asheville, NC 28805. One of Cheri’s requests is that attendees of the service wear their favorite color in celebration of her colorful life.

In lieu of flowers, Cheri requested donations be made to the Cageless Birds. The Cageless Birds is a missional community and ministry devoted to discipleship, community living, worship, and creativity year-round. Seeing sons & daughters experience a head-on collision with the love of God, through schools, camps and retreats is our great reward. Cheri attended a “35 and older retreat” and was a stand out individual. Cheri had a passion, drive and enthusiasm for life that stood out to all the staff. She came with her strong and comforting motherly presence that marked everyone. It is evident in the joy and care she carried through these hard and pressing times, that pursuing Jesus and growing in love all the days of her life was a priority. Cheri has supported Sydnee Mela, a staff of The Cageless Birds, for years. In honor of Cheri, you can make donations to Sydnee Mela either by writing a check to “A Place for the Heart – Sydnee Mela” and mailing it to 4228 Beckerdite Rd, Sophia, NC 27350 or by this link (https://cagelessbirds.com/sydnee-mela) and clicking “Support Sydnee”. Cheri received wonderful care from Four Seasons Hospice & Palliative Care of Western North Carolina. Donations can also be made to Four Seasons Foundation (fourseasonsfdn.org).