James Ellis “Jimmy ‘Nub’” Sherrill, 79, of Murphy, NC, died peacefully on April 3, 2026, with his son by his side.

Born May 18, 1946, in Murphy, NC, he was the son of William Allison Sherrill and Flonnie Mae Sherrill. Jimmy graduated from Murphy High School in 1964 and earned a degree from Western Carolina University in 1968. Soon after, he moved to Atlanta, GA, where he worked for General Motors and served as a manager for McDonald’s before founding Georgia Commercial Cleaning in Norcross. Known for his tireless work ethic—once working 11 years straight without missing a day—he later sold that business and started Jimmy’s Carpet Cleaning, serving North Georgia and Western North Carolina until his retirement.

Jimmy loved fast cars and racing in his younger years; he owned a 1965 Chevelle SS and a 1968 Plymouth Roadrunner, both purchased new. Later he found a passion for fly fishing and backpacking, often sharing campfire meals of freshly caught trout with his brother and close friends. He loved boats and water skiing and spent many happy days relaxing on his houseboat at Hiwassee Lake. An avid traveler and photographer, Jimmy’s journeys took him to places including Yellowstone, the Grand Tetons, Colorado ski slopes, Disney World, and Sweden; his thousands of slides and photographs captured the natural beauty he cherished.

He was married to Jacqueline Barrett Sherrill and is survived by their son, James Anthony Sherrill, who he loved and taught with great pride. In later years he returned to Murphy and lived in his cabin on Duke Street, where he could often be found at the Waffle King—known and welcomed by the staff—or taking drives to enjoy the mountain scenery he loved.