Retha Rials Cherry, age 76, of Dothan, Alabama, passed away peacefully on August 4, 2025.She was born in Phenix City, Alabama, on August 9, 1948, to I.D. Rials and Odell Holley Rials.
Retha was a proud graduate of Opp High School, Class of 1966. Her class shared a unique and lasting bond, and she deeply cherished attending every class reunion-missing only the one held in 2024.
Retha retired in 2013 after 33 years of dedicated service-beginning with the State of Alabama, Department of Agriculture, and later transitioning to federal service with the U.S. Department of Agriculture, Agricultural Marketing Service, Science and Technology division.
She is survived by her two sons: Patrick Yates Cherry of Auburn, AL, and Rory Cameron Cherry of Arnold, MD; and by her five beloved grandchildren: Sloane Cherry, and Daniel and Tristan Jinright of Auburn, AL; Harper Cherry and Brenn Cherry of Arnold, MD.
She is also survived by her sister, Shirley Seay, and brother-in-love, Jimmy Seay; nephew Kerry Seay (Teresa) of Panama City Beach, FL; niece Kelly White (Paul) of Dothan, AL; great-niece Bethany Burgess of Montgomery, AL; great-nephew Ben Burgess of Nashville, TN; great-niece Kaylee Seay of Dothan, AL; great-nephew Kade Seay of Mobile, AL; and great-great-niece Braelyn Burgess of Dothan, AL.
Retha was preceded in death by her former husband, Jerome Cherry; her parents, her nephew Kenyon Seay; and a dear friend and companion, Jimmy Griffin.
A visitation and memorial service will be held at Ward Wilson Funeral Home in Dothan, Alabama,
on Wednesday, August 13, 2025, beginning at 10:00 AM.
