Cherry Butler was born on March 11, 1948 to Wortham and Lola Smith-Butler, in Trinity, Texas. She was preceded in death by her parents; daughter: Laytonia Sims, siblings: Joyce Marie Butler Harrison and Jimmy Butler.

Cherry is survived by her son: Henry Sims, Jr., siblings: Roy Butler, Ruth Manning and  Gaynell Pickerie, former husband: Henry Sims, Sr., and a host of additional relatives and friends.