Sherry Leigh Thomas, 63, went to be with her Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, on November 17, 2018.

Sherry was preceded in death by her father, Charles C. Thomas, Sr. She is survived by her mother, Edna Marshall, her brother Charles C. Thomas, Jr., her niece Katy Chapman and husband Joe, her great nephews, Jacob and Levi Chapman, her sister in Christ Joyce Flowers, the Bateman/Flowers family and many aunts, uncles and cousins.

Sherry was born in Greensboro and grew up in Stokesdale, North Carolina. She received her nursing degree from UNC-Chapel Hill in 1978 and earned a masters degree in public health in 1990. During her 40 year career she delivered patient care in the home and hospital settings. In 1993 she began working with the NC Association for Home Care (now the Association for Home & Hospice Care of NC).  In this role she interpreted changes to Medicaid and Medicare regulations and assisted the member agencies with the implementation of these changes. She always advocated for her members' best interests and ultimately for the best interest of the home care patient. Sherry was the Senior Executive Vice President of AHHC and led her team towards the mission of helping the home & hospice care community with urgency and integrity.

In September 2018 Sherry was awarded a Certificate of Commendation from the North Carolina Nurses Association. Sherry received this award for being a tireless advocate for home health nursing, and home care in general. Also as Lead Nurse Planner for the AHHC-NC she was charged with delivering high quality nursing education to RNs, LPNs and NAs in home and hospice care.

Earlier this month, Sherry was awarded the North Carolina Triangle Home Health and Hospice Lifetime Achievement Award. Sherry devoted her entire life to serving her patients. This award recognized Sherry's dedication and commitment to the field of home health and hospice care.

Sherry would like to recognize the staff at Transitions LifeCare for the expert and compassionate care she received including the nurses, support staff and especially the following nurse aides: Denise, Bridget, Sharon, Corina, Fatu, Karolyn, Sarah, Averena, Margretta, Madison, Jennifer, Ishmael, Natalie, Jackie, Kathy, Toni, Ebony and Robert (chef).

Visitation with the family will be Tuesday, November 20, 2018 at Montlawn Funeral Home 2911 S. Wilmington Street, Raleigh from 6-8 pm. Funeral services will be held Wednesday, November 21, 2018 at 11:00 AM in the Chapel of Montlawn Funeral Home, Raleigh.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to The Hospice and Home Care Foundation of NC-c/o AHHC of NC 3101 Industrial Dr. Suite 204 Raleigh, NC 27609, Transitions LifeCare 250 Hospice Circle, Raleigh, NC 27607 or Hayes Barton Baptist Church 1800 Glenwood Ave Raleigh, NC 27608.