Wilma M. Sherrill

Former State Representative Wilma M. Sherrill died December 18, 2025 at Kate B. Reynolds Hospice Home. She was born in Yadkin County and was the daughter of William Hardy and Mozell Johnson Money who preceded her in death along with her brother W. Darry Money, numerous aunts, uncles and grandparents. Wilma is survived by her husband of 60 years, Jerry Sherrill. They have one daughter, Jill S. Goins (Mike) of Kernersville NC, granddaughters Lindsay A. Stewart (Jon) of Lewisville NC and Amanda Goins (Justin) of Greensboro, great-grandsons Oakley William and Preston, great-granddaughters Olivia and Aaliyah, niece Heather DeCastillia (Danny) and their sons Vinny and Dominic. She is also survived by numerous cousins including Vena Jester and many special friends . Wilma was educated at Elkin Business College and Wake Forest University. She holds an Honorary Degree from AB Technical Community College.

Wilma was a true public servant. She believed that her greatest accomplishments were her daughter, granddaughter, and great-grandson as well as having the opportunity to serve others. She had a successful career achieving many goals. She and Jerry moved to Asheville in 1967 to grow a business. While there, she became involved in politics. Working for Congressman Bill Hendon and later serving eight years in Governor Jim Martin's administration. She was elected to the North Carolina House in 1994 and served until she retired in 2006. Wilma took great pride in her reputation. She was known as a no-nonsense "do-what- you-say-you-will-do" person. She believed that serving others took precedence over politics and therefore she became a respected leader by both Democrats and Republicans. Of the 120 members, her colleagues ranked her the most influential woman and the seventh most influential overall.

Due to her reputation and leadership in many areas, she received many honors; in 1990 Wilma was presented the Order of the Long Leaf Pine by Governor Martin, voted the top 30 Most Influential Personalities in Asheville/Buncombe County in 1995, 1995 Women of the Year by NC Foundation of Business & Professional Women's Organization, 1995 Red Spoon Award from the State Nutrition Assistance Program better know as the Manna Food Banks, 1998 Legislator of the Year by the NC Humanities Council, Distinguishes Women of NC by NC Council of Women in 2000, in 2002 NC Academy of Trial Lawyers presented her with the Outstanding Legislator Award, 2004 Legislator of the Year by the NC Coalition Against Domestic Violence, Champion of Tourism from the NC Tourism Board of Directors 2006, Intergovernmental Relations Award from the Land O'Sky Regional Council in 2006, the Spirit of Civitan Award from the Asheville Civitan Club in 2006, and she received other honors and recognition form the NC Assoc of Professional Psychologist, First Step Farm, NC Housing Finance, NC Highway Patrol, NC Association of County Commissioners, Buncombe County School Board, Buncombe County Commissioners, Asheville City Council, WNC Insurance and Financial Advisors, Child Abuse Prevention Services, Child Care Advocates, Kids Voting and United Way.

After she retired from the Legislature, Wilma continued to work for her community and continued to be honored. In 2007 she was presented with the Chairman's Award from the Asheville Area Chamber of Commerce and in 2010 she received the Director's Choice TWIN Award from the YWCA and in 2010 the Good Health - Good Business Award from Mission Hospital and the Asheville Area Chamber. In 2010 the Board of Trustees for UNC Asheville honored Wilma for her years of support for the University by naming the Health & Wellness Building the Wilma M. Sherrill Center.

Wilma served as a member on many Boards and Commissions: NC Domestic Violence Task Force, NC Personnel Study Commission, the original Helpmate Board of Directors, Federal Home Loan Bank of Atlanta Board of Directors, State Employees Credit Union Advisory Board, NC Economic Development Commission, Child Abuse Prevention Council, UNC Asheville Athletic Board, Asheville Chapter of the American Red Cross, the NC Center for Public Policy Research Board of Directors, the Mission Hospitals Foundation Board of Directors and the SECU Mission Cancer Center Board of Directors where she was instrumental in obtaining more than $5 million to help build the Center.

Wilma is identified with many accomplishments, most notably for her work on women's issues including obtaining funding for the Women at Risk Program, working to prevent child abuse, fair funding for quality child day care, and her determination to help eradicate Domestic Violence. She chaired a Legislative Study Commission and passed a bill that gives North Carolina the strongest laws in the nation against domestic violence. For four years, Wilma was chair of the powerful Appropriations Committee in the NC House and her leadership brought about real change in using taxpayer's dollars to best fund pertinent needs in North Carolina. She worked hard to ensure that projects and research that dealt with the Health and Wellness of our citizens was recognized and, if funding was needed, she strongly supported. Quality education in North Carolina was foremost and she worked for better teacher pay and adequate funding for the Public University system in NC. She stood on the House Floor many times and reminded her colleagues how great our University system was and how we must never waiver on our support to properly educate our leaders of tomorrow and challenged them to work for quality, accessible health care for our citizens.

Wilma fought the good fight.....sick or well she continued to try and help others. She will be greatly missed by her family, her friends, her fellow colleagues, and her community.

The family would like to recognize Seniors Helping Seniors and all of their dedicated and passionate caregivers that made Wilma’s final months more manageable. The last days were made more peaceful and comforting for Wilma and her family through the untiring efforts of the Kate B. Reynolds Hospice Home. Their staff, and the volunteers surrounding, truly helped navigate hard times.

The family will visit with friends on Tuesday, December 23, 2025, from 12:00 to 2:00 PM at Gentry Family Funeral Service of Yadkinville. Funeral services will follow in the Gentry Family Chapel with Rev. Darren Alexander officiating. Interment will be held at Asbury United Methodist Church Cemetery.

Memorials are requested to be made to the Wilma M. Sherrill Scholarship at UNC Asheville. Mail to UNC Asheville Foundation at 1 University Heights, Asheville, NC 28804. A Wilma M. Sherrill Celebration of Life will be held at a later date in the Sherrill Center on the campus of UNC Asheville.