"For I am persuaded, that neither death, nor life... shall be able to separate us from the

love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord." – Romans 8: 38 – 39

Sherwood Hemby, whose laughter could light up any room and whose faith carried him through every season of life, entered into eternal rest on November 1, 2025, at Harmony Park Nursing Home Facility in Wilson, NC, just two days after his 62nd birthday.

Sherwood was born on October 30, 1963, in Edward, North Carolina, to Marjorie Hemby and the late Elwood Hemby. He was educated in the Beaufort County Schools and graduated from Aurora High School in 1982. After graduating from Aurora High School, Sherwood worked at Texas Gulf in Aurora, NC. He later relocated to Greenville, NC, and worked for Coca-Cola and other local employers in machine and industrial labor.

Sherwood was a people person through and through. He had a magnetic personality, a contagious sense of humor, and a gift for making anyone feel welcome. Whether you met him for five minutes or knew him for fifty years, Sherwood left an impression you would never forget.
His ability to adapt to any environment and make lifelong friends was one of his greatest gifts. He brought laughter, love, and light wherever he went.

Despite facing challenges, Sherwood never let life keep him down. He faced life's challenges with honesty, humility, and courage. Through it all, his favorite prayer—the Serenity Prayer—was his guiding light: "God, grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change, Courage to change the things I can. And wisdom to know the difference."

Just a month before his passing, Sherwood made the most important decision of his life—he gave his life to Christ. When his Aunt Catherine asked if he wanted to be saved, even though his speech was impaired, he was able to verbally affirm "yes." Together, they prayed the Prayer of Salvation, and Sherwood accepted Jesus Christ as his Lord and Savior. From that moment, his spirit found rest and his soul found peace.

Among all his blessings, none compared to the love he had for his daughter, Diamond Hemby. She was truly the light of his life. Sherwood's face would light up whenever he spoke of her, and his love for her was endless.

Sherwood's journey was one of joy, laughter, perseverance, and redemption. He taught everyone who knew him that life is not about perfection—it's about faith, love, and the courage to start again. The memories he left will bring smiles to our hearts, and his legacy will live on through his family and all those blessed to have known him.

He was preceded in death by his father, Elwood Hemby; brothers, Donald Ray Hemby and Johnny Moore; paternal grandparents, Will and Aredell Hemby; maternal grandparents, John and Martha Parker; uncles, John Parker, Clifton Parker, Jackie Parker, David Earl Parker, and James Lee Hemby; and aunts, Laura Bell Parker, Mae West Barnett, Iceline Palmer, and Doris Hemby Minor; and cousin, Zedra Moore Williams.

Sherwood leaves to cherish his memory: his devoted mother and stepfather, Marjorie Hemby and James Arthur Reddick of Greenville, NC; his beloved daughter, Diamond Hemby; brothers, Vincent Hemby (Daphne) and Dominick Hemby of Greenville, NC; nieces, Jasmine Hemby,
Brianna Hemby, Brittany Hemby, & Camiya Hemby, all of Greenville, NC; nephew, Dominick DJ" Hemby, Jr.; great-nephew, Jelani Hemby; uncles, James Earl Parker and Robert Parker (Irene) of Greenville, NC, and Theodore Hemby (Sarah); aunts, Martha Lee Weaver (Clayton), Catherine Grimes, and Zelma Keys (Nathaniel) of Greenville, NC; Linda Becton of Edward, NC; Vernell Williams of Blounts Creek, NC; and Ozedra Morris (John) of Long Island, NY, and a host of cousins.

Please keep the Hemby family in your thoughts and prayers.

A service, Love and Care, Entrusted to Mitchell's Memorial Funeral Home Inc., located at 5426 Front Lane, Ayden, N.C. 28513.