GIVING "FLOWERS" TO A MAN WHO LOVED FLOWERS

(Pictured above: Our Dear Brother Arthur A. "Archie" Sherman Jr.)

Arthur A. “Archie” Sherman Jr. carried on family floral business, served community

Arthur A. “Archie” Sherman Jr., a community servant and owner and manager of Sherman’s

Flower Shop, a familyowned business that was located on Gilbert Avenue in Walnut Hills for 79 years, died March 7, 2012. He was 82.

Mr. Sherman worked the majority of his life side by side with his parents and siblings in the family business, Sherman's Flower Shop. The business was founded in 1928 by his parents and older sister, Mary. In 2007, Mr. Sherman, then president of the family business, retired and the shop closed after 79 years of service to Greater Cincinnati. At the time of its closing, Sherman's Flower Shop was the oldest Black owned retail business in Cincinnati and the oldest Black owned flower shop in the country.

More than 300 people attended a retirement party for Mr. Sherman at New Vision Methodist Church in September 2007. Ken Blackwell, former Ohio Secretary of State and a life-long friend of the family, said then that the flower shop was a focal point of activities in the African American community. “You have been a staple in our community, and thank you for your example as a leader standing in the gap for values in the community. You have been a Christian soldier with integrity and steadfastness.’’

Mr. Sherman said then that his grandfather “opened the shop against all odds,’’ while he and his wife Rosa raised nine children. “It was a happy family with lots of love,’’ he said.

“Archie Sherman has been an advocate for human rights, community empowerment and free enterprise, fairness, justice and equal rights for all people,’’ said friend C. Smith, who helped organize the tribute to Mr. Sherman titled “Giving Flowers to the Florist, A Tribute to Archie Sherman.”

Mr. Sherman was born in Cincinnati, Ohio, on September 13, 1929, to the late Arthur A. Sherman, Sr. and Rosa Hightower Sherman. He was the youngest of nine children. Archie, as he was known to family and friends, was educated in the Cincinnati Public Schools and at the University of Cincinnati.

On September 24, 1949, he married his high school sweetheart, Jeanne Carroll Waugh. To this union three children were born: Anthony Bruce, Shannon Denise and Shelly Susan.

Though he was busy running the family business, he always took time for family. Archie and Jeanne’s home was often the place for memorable family gatherings and holidays, his favorite being the 4th of July celebrations. He always made sure the family was close and well educated about their heritage and ancestors.

Mr. Sherman also was a community activist, serving in multiple community roles such as, Founder of the Committee for the Support of Black Businesses and Profes sionals, Board of Trustees for the Lincoln Avenue and Crawford’s Home for the Aged (now Lincoln-Crawford Nursing Home) and a volunteer probation officer for Hamilton County Municipal Court. He was also a Mason and served the True American Lodge, #2 F and A.M as Past Master and he was a Shriner serving Sinai Temple #59 A.E.O.N.M.S as Past High Priest.

As a result of his dedicated service to the community, Archie received numerous awards and recognitions over the years, including but not limited to: The Spirit of Democracy Award by the Ohio Secretary of State, J. Kenneth Blackwell, The Urban League’s Glorifying the Lions Award, Ohio Black Expo Community Award for Businessman of the Year, The NAACP Wright-Overstreet Award for Exemplary Service in the Field of Human Rights, 100 Outstanding Black Cincinnatians and he was an Applause Magazine Image Maker Award nominee.

He was preceded in death by his parents Arthur and Rosa Sherman; brothers Chester, Dallas, Jack and Charles Sherman; sisters, Mary Sherman Belsinger, Louisa Sherman, Elaine Sherman Crossley; and daughter, Shannon Sherman.

He is survived by his wife of 62 years, Jeanne Sherman; son Anthony Sherman; daughter Shelly (Ernie) Sherman- Greene; grandchildren Arthur (Yvonne) Sherman III, Jelen Greene and Jamill Greene; great-grand-daughter Aniyah Sherman; sister, Rose Sherman; brothers-in-law Joshua Swain and Frank Crossley; nephews, Judge Jack Sherman Jr., Eugene Turner, Babacar (Michelle) Diagne, Dallas Sherman, Jr., Ralph (Paulette) Simpson; nieces Beverly Sherman, Desne (Ken) Crossley Hollman, Karen Barber, Tanya Riep, Evetta Sherman; and other relatives and friends.

Services were March 15 at Bethel Baptist Church, 2712 Alms Place. Interment was in Walnut Hills Cemetery. Jamison, Jamison & Brown Funeral Home officiated.

(Story courtesy of The Cincinnati Herald)
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We here at The Black Fist Blog would like to extend our deepest heartfelt condolences to the family of Bro. Elder Sherman Jr., he was truly a staple in our community. Bro. Sherman was always willing to lend a helping hand to whomever walked into his flower shop. I know from personal experience of my own that Bro. Elder Sherman was a goodhearted man who always had a ready made smile on his face every time I walked into his shop.

I can see him now coming from around that counter with that big smile to give me a big hug and saying, "Hey there General! What'cha got going for today, any big protest marches?" Bro. Sherman was really a sweet, funny, and generous man.

The black community, and the community of Walnut Hills will mourn the death of this very special man.

We would also like to thank our reader Bro. JT for bringing this Cincinnati Herald story to our attention. We always appreciate input from our faithful readers about the going ons in our community. Good, Bad, Ugly, or .... Sad.

RIP Bro. Arthur A. "Archie" Sherman Jr.