Sherwood Lee Gill, better known as Smokey, 73, of Shelby, NC, passed away on Saturday, May 3, 2025 at Atrium Main, Charlotte, NC.

Born in Cleveland County, NC, on December 1, 1951, he was the son of the late Edward Lee Gill and Louise Lockhart Gill. He was also preceded in death by his siblings, Joe Louis McGill, Sr., Shelia E. Gill Farmer, and Avery V. Gill Patterson.
Smokey attended Shelby High School, graduating in 1970. He was employed in textiles for most of his career. He began his career at Esther Mills, afterwards he worked at Cone Mills as a supervisor for at least 20 years and retired from Green Heck.
In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by a brother, Joe Louis McGill, Sr. and two sisters, Sheila E. Gill Farmer and Avery V. Gill Patterson.
He was a devoted member of Ellis Chapel Baptist Church, where he and his wife served faithfully. Smokey served as President of the Usher's Ministry, Assistant Sunday School Superintendent, and Assistant Chairman of the Trustee Board. He was a 50-year member of the Providence Lodge #2, Black Eagle 33rd° Council NC Masonic Lodge. He enjoyed selling wholesale items at Southside Flea Market. In addition, he loved fishing and watching his favorite football team, the Washington Redskins.
He is survived by his wife of more than 43 years, Sarah Hopper Gill; son, Bryant Wright; stepson, Anthony Hopper; sister, Linda D. Grier. Six grandchildren; Taylor, Octavis, Anthony, Jr. Victoria, Antonio, and Christian. Sisters-in-love, Margaret Alexander McGill, Willie Langston, a brother-in-love Walter Lee Hopper with a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, other relatives and friends.

Funeral services was held on Monday, May 12, 2025 at Ellis Chapel at 1:30 p.m. Enloe Mortuary was in charge of the services