Opal Whichard Sherva

Opal Whichard Sherva, age 78, passed away April 23, 2025, surrounded by her children at Richmond County Hospice Haven in Rockingham, NC. She was a beloved mother, grandmother, sister, and friend who touched the lives of many with her kindness, devotion, and unwavering faith.

Opal was born on March 20, 1947, at home in Williamston, NC, to the late Rev. Sam and Ella Mae Whichard. She was the second of four children and spent her early years moving throughout Eastern North Carolina as her father followed his calling in the Pentecostal Holiness ministry.

She married the late Harold L. Braxton at St. Paul Pentecostal Holiness Church in Greenville, NC, and together they had three children while living in Norfolk, VA. After their divorce, she moved to Fayetteville, NC, where she met the love of her life, the late Jeff Sherva. Their journey took them to Louisiana to care for her sister Pearl during her battle with cancer. They welcomed a daughter, Jessica, into their family before returning to Eastern North Carolina in 1988 to help her parents transition into retirement. Opal eventually settled in Rockingham, NC, where she lived until her passing.

Opal is survived by her daughters Cheryl B. House (Kenny) of Bethel, NC, Rhonda K. Vice (Roy) of Dayton, Ohio, son Jonathan W. Braxton (Jennifer) of Nashville, NC, and daughter Jessica P. Liles (Titus) of Rockingham, NC. She was a grandmother to ten grandchildren—Samuel (Suzy), Kayla, Jacob, Cole, Amanda, Cameron, Whitney, Katie, Jake (Brittany), Caleb, and Addie—and great-grandmother to Ava and Kennedy. She is also survived by her sister, Maggie Whichard of High Point, NC, and many nieces, nephews, and cousins.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Rev. Sam and Ella Mae Whichard, brother, Sam P. Whichard, and sister, Rev. Pearl W. Evans.

Opal earned her Bachelor’s degree in Psychology from Methodist College in Fayetteville, NC, and later earned her Master’s degree from Louisiana State University in Social Work. Throughout her career, she worked in social work, mental health, and hospice care, dedicating herself to serving others with compassion.

Opal had a deep love for her home and took great pride in her yard, tending to her flowers, trees, and yard with care. She had a keen eye for fashion and never purchased an outfit without ensuring a perfect match. Above all, she treasured time with her family and friends, traveling frequently to visit loved ones from North Carolina, Ohio, Louisiana, and beyond.

She was renowned for her cooking, especially her legendary fried shrimp, which will never be forgotten by those fortunate enough to enjoy them.

A lifelong churchgoer, Opal was a devoted member of Rockingham First Methodist Church. Since her retirement, she has dedicated much of her time to helping those in need, preparing meals, helping with her grandkids, baking her famous pecan pies, and volunteering at the Food Bank of Rockingham.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in her memory to the Our Daily Bread Food Ministry at 108 S. Randolph Street, Rockingham, NC 28379.

The family wishes to extend their heartfelt gratitude to Opal’s many friends who supported her through her final days. A special thanks to the staff at Rockingham Hospice, Cheryl McCaskill, and Susan Kanipe for their compassionate care in her final days.

We are deeply saddened by our mom’s passing, but we take comfort in knowing she is now at peace; restored and whole. She longed to reunite with her loved ones who had gone before her, and had faith in the promise of eternal life. If you do not yet share in this promise, we encourage you to seek the everlasting peace that only a relationship with Jesus Christ can bring.