Tribute
Mrs. Jerri Buck, 66, of Knightdale NC, went home to our heavenly Father on November 5, 2021 at her home and surrounded by her loving husband of 41 years, Richard Glenn Buck, and family by her side. Family visitation will be held at Bright Funeral Home, Saturday November 13, 2021 from 10AM-11:30AM, followed by a Celebration of Life service at Hayes Barton Baptist Church, 1800 Glenwood Avenue, Raleigh, NC at 2:00PM.
Jerri was born to James Albert and Joyce Soprano Creech in Winston Salem, NC. Jerri was preceded in death by her father, James Albert Creech. In addition to her husband Glenn (Knightdale), Jerri is survived by her mother, Joyce Soprano Creech (Raleigh, NC), son Justin Buck (Carrington) and grandson Declan, sisters Jeannine Weeks (Paul) and Jamie Reinsch (John) and nieces Katherine Robson, Kathleen Wilkerson, and nephew James Weeks (Erica).
Jerri’s father (‘Hoss’ as we called him) was always her hero in life. Most everything she learned – from gardening to woodworking to home construction projects – she learned from her father. From ‘Hoss’ she also learned the value of friendship. Jerri quickly learned how to make new friends. ‘Hoss’ was in the food business and for the first 18 years of her life, they moved to different towns and cities 22 different times. If you ever met Jerri, she became a friend forever. She had a gregarious and contagious personality. When Jerri walked into a room and you were a stranger, she would make a concerted effort to get to know you.
Jerri could make or bake anything and could fix anything that needed repairing (including cars), but her real passion was cooking. She was the best chef and hostess ever. She loved working in her gardens where she grew most everything imaginable including the best tomatoes and fresh vegetables of all kind. Throughout her travels, she would always bring something back to plant at home.
In her remarkable life cut short with pancreatic cancer, Jerri and Glenn had their most cherished love of life, son Justin of Harrisburg N.C. and a precious gift from God, 2-year-old grandson Declan. Jerri would learn shortly after her cancer diagnosis that she would soon be a grandmother. This brought a new fight to live. Jerri so wanted her new grandson to know her and she wanted to treasure the joys of life being a grandma. In the times together, which were many, Declan, Justin and special loving daughter-in-law Carrington, brought so much joy and sunshine to Grand-ma-ma. She loved you dearly and you were her rock.
Jerri and Glenn lived a fun, purpose-filled life together. It was a true love story with love at first site. They met on Halloween 1980 and married December 31 of the same year. They built a log cabin 6 months later, most of it done by themselves working late at night, often all night, while still working day jobs at the office. The same homeplace is still ever-changing with remodeling and new construction that they together enjoyed doing.
Most everything and everywhere they went, Jerri and Glenn did together. When Glenn would have to leave town for business, he would find a note that Jerri would slip into the pocket of his pants, telling him how much she would miss him and to be safe. Glenn would leave a note under Jerri’s pillow. If he missed an occasion, she would not be happy and would let it be known when they talked on the phone each night before bedtime. Glenn still has most of the pocket notes after 20+ years of work travel.
Jerri worked for Photo Chemical (Knightdale) in Customer Service and inside Sales for over 20+ years. She enjoyed so much the long and loyal friendships of so many people, both customers and co-workers.
Jerri was so spirited and loving all the way to the end. She fought as hard as anyone possibly could to beat this cancer. From the first diagnosis, doctors explained that this cancer was not curable – they gave us no hope. However, we always believed in miracles and divine healing. There have been so many new friends we met along this journey that prayed for us daily including prayer groups, churches from all over the US and beyond. Those prayers lifted us, gave us hope and strength, and brought us closer in faith through Christ, our eternal Father in heaven.
Days before Jerri’s passing, she wrote the following that she wanted to share with each of you.
Dear Friends in Christ and Prayer Warriors,
I wanted to write a personal note to each of you to thank you for your heartfelt prayers, encouragement, and continued support through your cards, phone calls, texts, etc. Each and everyone mean so much to me and receiving them brings such joy and is a bright spot in my day. Unfortunately, my hands have become so numb and my handwriting is not so good anymore so instead, I’m sending this typed note. I hope you understand.
I have been truly blessed that you came into my life and reached out to comfort and provide encouragement to me. Your prayers and those of others I’ve never met but know you prayed for my healing and comfort and know I truly feel the peace and love from your prayers and calls and know that it is Christ who sent you to me to be that source of encouragement and lift me up. I am so grateful and blessed.
Please know how very special you are to me, as you are to Christ Jesus in doing His work through your fellowship and love. I continued to be humbled and amazed by your love and support.
“Every time I think of you, I thank God”
1 Corinthians 1:4
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Hayes Barton Baptist Church 1800 Glenwood Avenue, Raleigh, NC 27608 or www.hbbc.org or Transitions Life Care Philanthropy Dept. 250 Hospice Cir, Raleigh NC 27607 or https://www.transitionslifecare.org/donate/