Cherry Malote Garner LaShan

Cherry Malote Garner LaShan, 98, of Newport, NC, passed away peacefully on Wednesday, May 29, 2024, surrounded by family at her home.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 11:00 AM on Monday, June 10, 2024, at St. Egbert Catholic Church in Morehead City (1706 Evans St., Morehead City, NC 28557) with Father Ryszard Kolodziej presiding. The family will receive friends prior to the service. Interment will follow at Amariah Garner Memorial Cemetery (near 550 Nine Foot Road) in Newport.

Cherry was born to Needham and Swanona Garner in a house her father built in "downtown" Newport on July 11, 1925. She was the youngest of five children and was affectionately called "Baby Sister" well into her nineties. She attended Newport Consolidated School and graduated as Salutatorian in 1942.

At seventeen, Cherry [and her dear friend, Betty] left home to attend Hardbarger Business College of Raleigh. She was the first in her family to earn a post-secondary degree in 1943. She immediately secured work as a Civil Servant at Cherry Point Marine Corps Base. She soon met the love of her life at the USO in Morehead City Cherry. Vincent “Jimmy” La Shan literally swept Cherry off her feet - they won numerous dance contests during their courtship.

At eighteen, Cherry and Jimmy married just before he was shipped out to fight in World War II. Cherry showed her mettle by emigrating to be near Jimmy's family in New York City and then in Baltimore - holding down accounting and clerical jobs while she waited out the war years. Once reunited, they never stopped celebrating their good fortune at being in each other's company.

Cherry and Jimmy welcomed their first child, Marisa, in 1953 and moved to Miami where Jimmy was employed by Eastern Airlines. There, they welcomed their second child, Donna, in 1959. Through the Florida years, the extended family knitted close ties with many trips between Florida and North Carolina. Cherry and Jimmy, both eager and intrepid travelers, nurtured a sense of adventure in both daughters. When Jimmy retired, they returned to Newport where they devoted themselves to their faith, family, and to supporting their community.

As a solution-oriented soul, Cherry did not believe in complaining about anything you were not willing to work on to fix. Over the years Cherry served as a volunteer for various organizations (VMSB-343 Reunion Committee, Project Christmas Turkey, and the Newport Pig Cookin’). Cherry was unwavering in her love and commitment to her country and was a proud patriot, casting her last ballot at the polls in March.

Friends and family members called on Cherry daily for haircuts, help with sewing, and Jimmy's fabulous Italian cooking. Cherry and Jimmy sustained a fairy tale version of love for their 65 years together. They were often found dancing and laughing in the kitchen and were admired for making room for their differences and bringing out the best in each other.

As the matriarch of her crew, Cherry was still cooking and caring for family members until her health failed in recent months. She was looking forward to celebrating her 100th birthday next year (2025). She planted a deep joy of living in all who knew and loved her and lives on with them through their remembrances.

Cherry is survived by her daughter, Donna Crane (Arthur) of Newport, and Marisa Castellon (Dr. Celestino Castellon) of Miami, FL; three grandchildren, Nicole Crane of the home, Jamie Crane (Alyssa) of Newport, and Rodrigo Castellon (Gabriela) of Miami, FL; and one great-grandson, Michael Squires of the home.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in Cherry’s honor to St. Egbert Catholic Church, 1706 Evans St., Morehead City, NC 28557, (https://www.stegbertcatholicchurch.org) or Newport Consolidated School Alumni Association, P.O. BOX 593, Newport, NC 28570.

Family and friends are welcome to submit online condolences.

Arrangements by Munden Funeral Home & Crematory in Morehead City, NC.