Cain Jr., Sherman

June 26, 1943 – November 21, 2009 Sonny had dealt bravely with metastatic melanoma for the last 11 months. He was born in Pulaski, VA on June 26, 1943 to the late Beulah Harrell Cain King and Sherman Cain, Sr.

Sonny graduated from Pulaski High School in 1962. He worked many years at Klopman Mills, and in 1975, went to work for White/Volvo. He retired from Volvo in 2004 as a supervisor of maintenance. Sonny was an active and dedicated member of many organizations.

He was a member of the Dublin Lions Club for nearly forty years. During that time he served in every capacity of the club, also serving on the district level. He was instrumental in the building of the Dublin Lions Club Building, was Chairman of the sight program, Chairman of the Dublin Lions Club Flea Market for many years, Chairman of the Christmas Craft Show, served as president of the club several times. Sonny was awarded the Melvin Jones Fellowship in 1994, the highest award of the Lions organization. He made thousands of “Lion Dogs” at the Lion Club booth at the fairground through the years.

Sonny was a 32nd degree Mason with Pythagoras Masonic Lodge #239 A.F.&A.M. in Pulaski and was currently serving as the treasurer. He was a member of the New River Valley Shrine Club and the Characters Shrine Unit. He was a member of the Kazim Shriners and a past member of the Beach Bums Shrine Unit. Sonny was also a “runner” for the N.R.V. Shrines, who took patients to the Shrine’s Hospital in Greenville, S.C.

Sonny served as a trustee for the Pulaski Elks Club where he has been a member for over 30 years. The last few years he was “Chef Cain” for the monthly dinner meetings. For many years he worked for the Elks Bingo each week.

For over 30 years, Sonny has been president of the New River Valley Federal Credit Union at Volvo. He was Chairman of the Salaried Social Club at Volvo (SASO) and organized the “Pigouts”, social activities and the annual Christmas dances for the salaried personnel. He loved to have a good time, party, and could dance all night!

He was an active and devoted member of the First United Methodist Church in Pulaski, where he served as the Chairman of Maintenance, was a member of the Finance Committee, Church Council, Board of Trustees, and served as usher.

He was preceded in death by his mother, father, step-father, Elmer King and sister, Francis Cain Gleason. He is survived by his beloved wife, Barbara Riggle Price Cain of Claytor Lake (Pulaski); two daughters; Missie Cain Mitchell and her husband Ken of Pulaski, Sonya Cain Burchett and her husband Shawn of Pulaski: four grandchildren: Chandler Mitchell, Jake Mitchell, Noah Burchett and Erin Burchett of Pulaski: two step-sons; Michael Price and his wife Chrissy of Draper, Christopher Price and his fiance, Jennifer Snyder of Christiansburg, his sister; Louise Cain Haverty and her husband Chuck of Vista, CA: his aunts; Lona Fagg, Elva Doyle and Emma Fuller of Pulaski: his sister-in-law, Brenda Haymore and her husband Joe of Knoxville, TN Also survived by many special cousins, and his devoted husband, father, grandfather, step-father, and friend.

He loved life, loved to be with people, cared for others, and in his quiet way always completed the responsibilities he needed to do. He loved Claytor Lake and his lake home was his sanctuary. A celebration of his life service will be held Tuesday November 24, 2009 at 5:30 p.m. at the First United Methodist Church with the Rev. Hugh Kilgore officiating. Honorary pallbearers will be the Dublin Lions Club, the Pulaski Elks Club, the Pythagoras Masonic Lodge, and the New River Valley Shrine Club. A private graveside service will be held Wednesday at Highland Memory Gardens. Visiting will be anytime Monday November 23, 2009 after 2:00 p.m. here at SEAGLE Funeral Home where the family will receive friends from 4 until 8 p.m. A Masonic Memorial service will be held for the family and friends at 8:00 p.m.

Preferred Charities and Donations: As Sonny would desire, memorials may be made to the Church Preservation Fund of the First United Methodist Church, 301 N. Jefferson Ave. Pulaski, VA 24301.