SHERRY DAVIS WHEALE

SHERRY DAVIS WHEALE BUMPASS, Va. - Sherry Davis Wheale of Bumpass, Va., beloved mother, wife, daughter and sister, died on March 18, 2011 in Gainesville Fla., where she was visiting friends in the area. She was 63 and had gone head to head with stage IV breast cancer for the past seven years. Beneath her calm and personable air was an intelligent and extremely strong-willed woman who, despite the disease, went out "on top", living life the way she wanted. Born April 1, 1947 and raised in Barre, she graduated from Spaulding High School in 1965 and went on to graduate from Ohio Wesleyan University in 1969. She moved to northern Virginia, where she raised a family and began working in the real estate field. She was highly respected in the rough and tumble world of real estate in Northern Virginia and ascended to become the first female President of Virginia for Ryland Homes, a national home builder. She moved with her husband, Derek, and ever growing family of English Black Labrador Retrievers in 1993 to Bumpass, Va. where she built her dream home and continued with real-estate development. In recent years, she traveled extensively to Europe, Africa and Mexico. Sherry loved art, literature and music. At an early age she established herself as an outstanding soloist in the Hedding Methodist Church choir. She collected many works of art that filled her Bumpass, Va. home. She was a voracious reader. In recent years, she regularly attended the New Orleans Jazz Festival with her children and husband. She is survived by her husband, Derek Dequaine of Bumpass, Va.; a son, Peter Davis Wheale and a daughter, Kerstin Marie Wheale, both of San Francisco, Calif.; her mother, Dorothy L. Davis, of Williamstown; her siblings, Debra L. Davis of Prague, Czech Republic, Valerie L. Blachly of Warner, N.H., Richard E. Davis, Jr., of Barre, and Tamara S. Davis of Berlin; her beloved Labs, Tucker, Katie, Tim, Too-taloo, Brewster, Riley, and Fisher; as well as respective extended family and friends. She was predeceased by her father, Richard E. Davis, Esq. Sherry will be remembered as a warm, loving and generous person who deeply touched the lives of those who knew her. Her greatest fear was the impact her death would have on her children. Her singular courage, humor and wisdom in the face of her long battle is an uplifting example for all those who had the privilege of knowing her.