Cherry Waldrep Clements of Atlanta died Thursday, Jan. 5, 2006.

A memorial service was held at 3 p.m. Sunday, Jan. 8, at North D e c a t u r Methodist C h u r c h ( 1 5 2 3 C h u r c h

S t r e e t ,

D e c a t u r , GA, (404) 373-3367), with burial at Northview Cemetery in Dublin 2 p.m. Monday, Jan. 9.

Cherry put her faith into action by supporting education, women’s issues, healthy eating, social and environmental justice, peace and nuclear disarmament. Cherry was a clever, generous, kind-hearted woman who inspired others to live responsibly and to support progressive causes through political action. A fifth-generation Georgian, she was born in Monroe County June 12, 1915; she grew up on a farm near Dublin.

Cherry spent her professional life as a public school teacher. She graduated from Dublin High School at 16 and earned a Normal Diploma from Georgia State College for Women (now Georgia College & State University). At 18 she started her teaching career in a small rural school in Cabiness, where some of the students were older than their new teacher. Cherry was awarded a prestigious Rosenwald Fellowship to continue her studies at Georgia Southern University where she earned a Bachelor of Science in Education in mathematics; she continued her education at the University of Georgia, where she was the first woman to earn a Masters of Science in math education and where she met her future husband, Hal Clements, also a Rosenwald Fellow.

Cherry and Hal were married in 1941 just before Hal enlisted in the U.S. Navy. In Norfolk, Va., Cherry decoded enemy messages and had her first child, beginning her practice of dual careers. After WWII, the couple pursued their public education careers in Guyton, Claxton, Waynesboro and Canton – Hal as principal and Cherry as a classroom teacher. Their marriage of 58 years lasted until Hal’s death in 1999.

In 1958, the Clements family moved to Atlanta and Cherry began a 27-year career at Druid Hills High School in DeKalb County. She was chair of the math department until she retired in 1976. Cherry was widely recognized for her education skills, inspiration and innovation, even introducing students to computers in the early 1970s. She was selected StudentTeacher Achievement Recognition (STAR) Teacher in 1967 and 1971. In 1972, Cherry was selected Atlanta Woman of the Year in Education and in 1976 was awarded the Gladys M. Thompson Award for Distinguished Service in Mathematics Education by the Georgia Council of Teachers of Mathematics. During her years at Druid Hills High School, Cherry was awarded six National Science Foundation Scholarships in mathematics and attended advanced classes at both Emory University and the University of Georgia.

Cherry was an active member of North Decatur United Methodist Church. She served ten terms as president of the United Methodist Women’s organization and served as a board member of the North Georgia Church Homeless Council and the Council on Faith and Environment. Cherry taught church classes, prepared meals, raised funds and worked tirelessly in her life-long commitment to the Methodist Church.

After retirement, Cherry became a dedicated volunteer for organizations that exemplified her ethics and her commitment to social and environmental justice. She was a board member of the Druid Hills Civic Association for six years and an active member of CAUTION, combating the Georgia DOT’s failed attempt to build a freeway through historic Atlanta neighborhoods. She served on the Board of Atlanta Habitat for Humanity and organized meals for 500 volunteers during the 7day Jimmy Carter Work Camp in 1998. She was also on the Volunteer Board of Directors of Doctors for Global Health. Cherry was particularly devoted to and active in Atlanta WAND (Women’s Action for New Directions), serving as membership chair from 1990-1998; she was honored at a special WAND Tribute, “In their Footsteps,” in 1996. Cherry and Hal received the Georgia Southern University Alumnae Award for Outstanding Service in 1989. In 1992, they received the Martin Luther King, Jr. Award for Senior Citizens Active in Community Service. In 1999, Cherry received the “Unsung Heroines” Award from the Metropolitan Atlanta Coalition of 100 Black Women.

Cherry was widely known for her cooking skills. She wrote and published three cookbooks, “Monga Ma’s Legacy” (her mother’s Southern recipes), “Mama’s Bequest: Fifty Years of Good Cooking” and “Simply Delicious: Quantity Cooking for Churches,” edited by Grace Wynn. Cherry started a catering business called Cherry’s Jubilee, preparing meals for friends, churches and volunteer organizations.

Cherry was preceded in death by her husband, Hal, and her son-in-law, Harold Saether. She is survived by her three children, Judy Clements and Cathy Clements Bradshaw (Bo), both of Atlanta and Tom Clements of Takoma Park, Md.; and grandchildren, Jane and Ward Bradshaw of Atlanta.

In lieu of flowers, please send donations to Atlanta WAND, 250 Georgia Avenue SE, Suite 202, Atlanta, GA, 30312 or Atlanta Day Shelter for Women & Children, 655 Ethel Street NW, Atlanta, GA 30318. You are also invited to take a meal to someone in memory of the thousands of meals that Cherry prepared for others during her life.

The Cremation Society of The SOUTH was in charge of the arrangements, (770) 420-5557