Goochland woman Cheryl (Sherry) Arrington dies at 66; celebration planned

“Cheryl, more affectionately known as Sherry, passed peacefully after a long and difficult battle with Progressive Supranuclear Palsy on January 29th. She was 66 years old.” That line from the family obituary captures the loss felt across Goochland County and surrounding communities.

Sherry was born October 18, 1959, to the late Charles Edward Hawk Jr. and Evelyn Blackwell Hawk. Her life included long ties to local schools and recreation; an obituary notes she worked on-and-off for 30 years as a school bus driver in Goochland, a role that put her in daily contact with multiple generations of county children.

She is survived by three children, Jessica Bryant Gwaltney (Wesley), Laurran Bryant Shoemaker (Scottie) and William Hunter Edward Arrington (Samantha Carter), and four grandchildren: Brynna Shoemaker, Alaina Gwaltney, Ella Gwaltney and Amelia Arrington. Surviving siblings listed include Pamm Bryant (David), Gwendolyn Hawk and Charles “Chuck” Hawk (Cindy).

A public celebration of life has been planned for Saturday, February 7 at 3:00 p.m. at Elpis Christian Church, 2703 Elpis Church Rd, Maidens, VA 23102. The event gives neighbors, school families and longtime friends a designated time to pay respects and recall local memories of Sherry’s presence in the community.

Remembrances posted on memorial pages reflect those local ties and the way Sherry threaded into community life. Cassie wrote on Feb. 4, 2026, “I miss her already and am beyond grateful to her and her family for allowing me in not just her life, but theirs as well.” Gwen posted the same day, “We will always be a part of each other and will never be apart. I love you Sherry.” A longer recollection posted Feb. 6, 2026 by Wilbert and Bessie Ware recalled shared times in “Co-ed ball and with GYAA both on and off the field and at many dances at the old fairgrounds building,” adding that “Sherry was one of a kind and always had me laughing or smiling!”

Memorial pages and obituary listings show some conflicting information about which funeral provider is handling arrangements: one notice states “Funeral arrangement under the care of Riffe’s Funeral Services Inc,” while another indicates the memorial was organized “in partnership with Givens Funeral Home,” and a separate copy lists an address at 110 South Woodrum Street, Pearisburg. Residents who plan to attend or send condolences are advised to verify final arrangements with the church or the funeral provider before traveling.

Those wishing to honor Sherry’s memory through contributions can follow the family’s listed option of donations to the Heritage Hall Resident Fund in Rich Creek, Virginia, or use the available memorial-page options to send flowers or plant a tree. The celebration in Maidens on Feb. 7 will be the immediate opportunity for Goochland neighbors to come together and mark the life of someone known to many families across the county.