Funeral Information
Location:
Hadley Davis Funeral Home
Date: 10-10-2026
Time: 10:00 AM
Time: 10:00 AM
Visitation Information
Location:
Hadley Davis Funeral Home
Date:
Time:
Time:
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Obituary
Cherry Hemphill did not just enter a room, dear readers of this obituary, she commanded the room! One of the most stylish, trendy, chic, and in-vogue Black women, always gracing the annual “Classic Parade,” just phenomenal. A true force of nature, an extraordinarily beautiful woman, and a visionary entrepreneur, she lived life on her own terms. Known for her impeccable class, her couture “Zsa-Zsa Gabor” attire, and larger-than-life “Dorothy Dandridge” presence, she was deeply, deeply loved by many, thoroughly feared by some, and absolutely, absolutely, impossible to forget. Whether she was traveling the wonders of the world, attending premier boxing matches in Vegas, scheduling New York and LA shopping sprees, or helping others, she was always just being herself! Her beautiful white teeth and perfect smile, combined with wit, stunning grace and fierce determination to make it in life, inspired everyone around her. She was an endearing soul who loved fiercely—and demanded excellence from the world in return—leaving behind a legacy that is as formidable as it was glamorous. Always encouraging Yvette and allowing her to be herself was her choice of parenting style at the time, and she did just that. Witnessing her Yvette sign up and serve in the U.S. Army was hard for her. With the ordination of her dear Yvette into the ministry, this left a woman, a mother, who was never short for words, happy, proud, and speechless.
Cherry Hemphill was born in Tampa, Florida, where she received her early education. Moving to Miami, she was raised by her mother, and they both were members of the Historic St. John Missionary Baptist Church. She completed her high school education at the historic Booker T. Washington High School. Always enjoying the finer beauty with hair and appearances, she decided to enter cosmetology at the first licensed Black-owned beauty school, Sunlight School of Beauty Culture, in Miami-Dade County. Studying under Mr. Julius at Sunlight, it was known and said that she would really make it in this field, and she did! She then worked and excelled at the landmark Saks Fifth Avenue store. At Saks, she showcased glamourous, high-end fashion and beauty, and all the bejeweled and bedazzled items aligned with that! Her early business career included opening her very own “Ser Say” Beauty Salon. Later she sold the salon to undertake the operations of learning the bar and night club industry when the opportunity presented itself, at the famous Historic Hampton House in Miami. It was at the Hampton House—a segregated-era luxury motel and social hub for Black travelers, civil rights leaders, and entertainers—that she learned the ropes of the business. Despite the challenges of the era, she studied every facet of the industry and ultimately excelled as a top-notch entrepreneur. The icing on the cake was when she purchased her beautiful corner lot, ranch style home in the early 70s, a warm and loving home for herself, her daughter, and her son (who preceded her in death).
Cherry Hemphill’s icing on the cake was making her desserts from scratch or boosting up the Betty Crocker recipe. She was a happy woman. When she purchased her beautiful corner lot, ranch style home in the early 70s... iconic for a female during those days. And so it was an absolutely “À La Maison” for herself, her daughter, and her son (who preceded her in death), and to warmly entertain those she loved and cared for with that charm she possessed. An avid news-hound, she had televisions in every room of her home. She would always apprise us regarding incoming inclement or torrential weather, news of the hour, traffic conditions, catching up on episodes of the “stories,” etc. Her home was filled with music: Mahalia, Shirley Caesar, Sammy, Sarah Vaughn, Roberta Flack, Marvin, Aretha, Smokey, Marvelettes, Supremes, the T’s, and all other gospel and Motown legends. Her home was where she would indulge in her culinary skills, with exceptional meal preparations that could feed the entire neighborhood… and sometimes she did. Her home was the “market place” for so many, always with extra batteries, paper goods, canned goods, frozen foods, meats, breads, and every-everything! She absolutely loved the interior designing she accomplished at her home with all of the amenities to make life most comfortable and loved.
Cherry Hemphill, in the spirit of giving and extending her gifts to others, opened a small business across the street from Miami Central Senior High School, on 95th Street in Miami. In dedicating the business to the students at Miami Central, she named it Central High School Market. After selling the Central High School Market, she purchased and received a coveted liquor license for her well-attended, flourishing, prosperous, thriving, night club du jour, The Interlude Lounge… one of the major highlights of her life! You could actually count on one hand minorities that had a “legal” liquor license during those days! YES! A FLAIR for business. A FLAIR for luxury. A FLAIR for style… and a FLAIR for making money; she was the quintessential business woman! After selling The Interlude and the Central High School Market, she took a bit of time off, and made her own agenda. As luck would have it, she soon joined a highly successful, renowned evening establishment. Her business acumen quickly allowed her to become instrumental to the owners; to its operations, restructuring workflows and redirecting staff to maximize both service quality and profitability. These efforts paid off immensely. Although she was eventually offered the opportunity to buy the business, she declined to avoid the added stress. Instead, she chose to remain in her vital leadership role for fifteen years until her retirement.
Cherry Hemphill endured much and was determined to live life until her very end. The curtain has fallen on a truly legendary life who transitioned to rest in the arms of the Lord on Thursday, October 1, 2026. She was presented by her mother to the Lord at a very early age, and it stayed with her, no matter her path. She would quote scriptures and meditate both day and night, having a personal relationship with the Father. And yet, through health challenges including enduring lung cancer, she survived and lived life with zest, even through and with the removal of one of her lungs. This ultimate “every woman” will be profoundly remembered!
She is thoroughly and intensely loved! Her legacy includes her devoted and dutiful daughter, Rev. Yvette Hemphill. Yvette loved her mom and will forever have her close in her heart, mind and soul. Her son, Eddie Hemphill, predeceased her many years ago. Her sister, Elouise Brown, will love her forever; and her brother, Dan Gaskin, predeceased her. Her legacy continues with her nephew, Dan Gaskin, Jr.; and nieces, Cynthia Brown, Patricia Brown, Ruby Brown, and Kiesha Brown. With dearest hugs and memories, Dr. Walter T. Richardson (her former Pastor) and his wife, Delores Richardson (her cousin) will remember her dearly. Saying we will never, ever forget you, are her daughters/son-of-love, Dr. Sharrie ReNay Dean-Collins, Jacquelyn Dean, Cupidine Davis Dean, Ben (Dr. Rokeshia Ashley) McNamee (Emory, Ben II, and Weston). Keeping the candle of pure love for her are her best friends through life eternal: Linda Dallas and the entire Dallas family; Maxine Thomas, Pepper (god-daughter), and Renee (god-daughter). Missing her are also a host of cousins, family, and loved ones from Tampa, FL.
Cherry Hemphill was born in Tampa, Florida, where she received her early education. Moving to Miami, she was raised by her mother, and they both were members of the Historic St. John Missionary Baptist Church. She completed her high school education at the historic Booker T. Washington High School. Always enjoying the finer beauty with hair and appearances, she decided to enter cosmetology at the first licensed Black-owned beauty school, Sunlight School of Beauty Culture, in Miami-Dade County. Studying under Mr. Julius at Sunlight, it was known and said that she would really make it in this field, and she did! She then worked and excelled at the landmark Saks Fifth Avenue store. At Saks, she showcased glamourous, high-end fashion and beauty, and all the bejeweled and bedazzled items aligned with that! Her early business career included opening her very own “Ser Say” Beauty Salon. Later she sold the salon to undertake the operations of learning the bar and night club industry when the opportunity presented itself, at the famous Historic Hampton House in Miami. It was at the Hampton House—a segregated-era luxury motel and social hub for Black travelers, civil rights leaders, and entertainers—that she learned the ropes of the business. Despite the challenges of the era, she studied every facet of the industry and ultimately excelled as a top-notch entrepreneur. The icing on the cake was when she purchased her beautiful corner lot, ranch style home in the early 70s, a warm and loving home for herself, her daughter, and her son (who preceded her in death).
Cherry Hemphill’s icing on the cake was making her desserts from scratch or boosting up the Betty Crocker recipe. She was a happy woman. When she purchased her beautiful corner lot, ranch style home in the early 70s... iconic for a female during those days. And so it was an absolutely “À La Maison” for herself, her daughter, and her son (who preceded her in death), and to warmly entertain those she loved and cared for with that charm she possessed. An avid news-hound, she had televisions in every room of her home. She would always apprise us regarding incoming inclement or torrential weather, news of the hour, traffic conditions, catching up on episodes of the “stories,” etc. Her home was filled with music: Mahalia, Shirley Caesar, Sammy, Sarah Vaughn, Roberta Flack, Marvin, Aretha, Smokey, Marvelettes, Supremes, the T’s, and all other gospel and Motown legends. Her home was where she would indulge in her culinary skills, with exceptional meal preparations that could feed the entire neighborhood… and sometimes she did. Her home was the “market place” for so many, always with extra batteries, paper goods, canned goods, frozen foods, meats, breads, and every-everything! She absolutely loved the interior designing she accomplished at her home with all of the amenities to make life most comfortable and loved.
Cherry Hemphill, in the spirit of giving and extending her gifts to others, opened a small business across the street from Miami Central Senior High School, on 95th Street in Miami. In dedicating the business to the students at Miami Central, she named it Central High School Market. After selling the Central High School Market, she purchased and received a coveted liquor license for her well-attended, flourishing, prosperous, thriving, night club du jour, The Interlude Lounge… one of the major highlights of her life! You could actually count on one hand minorities that had a “legal” liquor license during those days! YES! A FLAIR for business. A FLAIR for luxury. A FLAIR for style… and a FLAIR for making money; she was the quintessential business woman! After selling The Interlude and the Central High School Market, she took a bit of time off, and made her own agenda. As luck would have it, she soon joined a highly successful, renowned evening establishment. Her business acumen quickly allowed her to become instrumental to the owners; to its operations, restructuring workflows and redirecting staff to maximize both service quality and profitability. These efforts paid off immensely. Although she was eventually offered the opportunity to buy the business, she declined to avoid the added stress. Instead, she chose to remain in her vital leadership role for fifteen years until her retirement.
Cherry Hemphill endured much and was determined to live life until her very end. The curtain has fallen on a truly legendary life who transitioned to rest in the arms of the Lord on Thursday, October 1, 2026. She was presented by her mother to the Lord at a very early age, and it stayed with her, no matter her path. She would quote scriptures and meditate both day and night, having a personal relationship with the Father. And yet, through health challenges including enduring lung cancer, she survived and lived life with zest, even through and with the removal of one of her lungs. This ultimate “every woman” will be profoundly remembered!
She is thoroughly and intensely loved! Her legacy includes her devoted and dutiful daughter, Rev. Yvette Hemphill. Yvette loved her mom and will forever have her close in her heart, mind and soul. Her son, Eddie Hemphill, predeceased her many years ago. Her sister, Elouise Brown, will love her forever; and her brother, Dan Gaskin, predeceased her. Her legacy continues with her nephew, Dan Gaskin, Jr.; and nieces, Cynthia Brown, Patricia Brown, Ruby Brown, and Kiesha Brown. With dearest hugs and memories, Dr. Walter T. Richardson (her former Pastor) and his wife, Delores Richardson (her cousin) will remember her dearly. Saying we will never, ever forget you, are her daughters/son-of-love, Dr. Sharrie ReNay Dean-Collins, Jacquelyn Dean, Cupidine Davis Dean, Ben (Dr. Rokeshia Ashley) McNamee (Emory, Ben II, and Weston). Keeping the candle of pure love for her are her best friends through life eternal: Linda Dallas and the entire Dallas family; Maxine Thomas, Pepper (god-daughter), and Renee (god-daughter). Missing her are also a host of cousins, family, and loved ones from Tampa, FL.