Early Life and Education
Cherry Louise Morton was born on May 3, 1934, in Birmingham, Alabama. She spent her childhood years in Ohio before her family relocated to Montgomery, Alabama, in 1942 when she was eight years old. Enrolled at Sidney Lanier High School in Montgomery, she completed her secondary education in 1952 at age 18.
| Year | Age | Location | Event |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1934 | 0 | Birmingham, AL | Birth of Cherry Morton |
| 1942 | 8 | Montgomery, AL | Family moves; begins school at Sidney Lanier High |
| 1952 | 18 | Montgomery, AL | High school graduation |
| 1952 | 18 | Auburn, AL | Enrolls at Auburn University |
| 1954 | 20 | Tuscaloosa, AL | Transfers to University of Alabama |
- 1946–1952: Active member of the school’s Student Council and Debate Team, serving as Debate Team captain in 1951.
- 1952–1954: Attended Auburn University, majoring in English Literature and Volunteer Services.
- 1954: Transferred to the University of Alabama to align her studies with the campus activities of her future husband.
Meeting Bart Starr and Marriage
Cherry and Bart Starr met at a Sidney Lanier High School fundraising event in 1951 when she was 17 and he was 18. Respect, communal service, and support characterised their courtship.
| Date | Cherry’s Age | Bart’s Age | Event |
|---|---|---|---|
| May 1951 | 17 | 18 | First meeting at school event |
| June 12, 1954 | 20 | 21 | Elopement and civil ceremony |
| July 1954 | 20 | 21 | Public announcement of marriage |
- The pair eloped in Montgomery on June 12, 1954.
- Cherry and Bart celebrated 65 years of marriage before Bart’s passing in 2019.
Life in Green Bay and Philanthropy
After Bart Starr was draughted in 1956, the pair moved to Green Bay, Wisconsin, where they lived from 1956 until 1971. Cherry managed team wife duties and a growing charity leadership role.
| Year | Initiative | Role | Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1965 | Rawhide Youth Services | Co‑Founder | Served 1,200 at‑risk boys by 1975 |
| 1970 | Vince Lombardi Classic (began 1969) | Honorary Co‑Chair (1969–2013) | Raised over $16 million for cancer research |
| 1975 | Green Bay Community Literacy Program | Board Member | Expanded to 12 locations by 1985 |
- Rawhide Youth Services (1965): Co‑founded with local educators to provide residential care for troubled boys; grew from serving 50 youths in 1965 to over 1,200 by 1975.
- Vince Lombardi Classic (1969–2013): Served as honorary co‑chair with Bart Starr for 44 consecutive years, helping to secure more than $16 million in cancer research funding.
- Green Bay Community Literacy Program (1975–1985): As board member, helped expand free adult literacy classes from 3 sites in 1975 to 12 sites by 1985, impacting over 5,000 adults.
Cherry’s hands‑on involvement included weekly site visits, fundraising galas, and coordinating volunteer staffing, reflecting her belief in personal engagement.
Family Life and Tragedy
Cherry and Bart Starr had two sons and multiple grandchildren and great‑grandchildren. Their family structure includes both direct offspring and extended kin through marriage.
| Name | Relation | Birth Year | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bart Starr Jr. | Son | 1955 | Married in 1980; three children |
| Bret Michael Starr | Son | 1963 | Deceased 1988 (age 24) |
| Shannon Starr (Ryan) | Granddaughter | 1982 | Oldest grandchild |
| Jenny Starr | Granddaughter | 1985 | |
| Lisa Starr | Granddaughter | 1988 | |
| Bryan Starr | Great‑grandson | 2008 | |
| Teddy Starr | Great‑grandson | 2010 | |
| Violet Starr | Great‑granddaughter | 2012 | |
| Dillon Starr | Great‑grandson | 2015 | |
| Skyler Starr | Great‑granddaughter | 2017 | |
| Caden Starr | Great‑grandson | 2019 |
- 1955: Birth of first son, Bart Starr Jr.
- 1963: Birth of second son, Bret Michael Starr.
- 1988: Bret Starr’s untimely death at age 24.
- Post‑1988: Cherry and Bart established memorial scholarships and continued advocacy for youth substance‑abuse prevention.
Cherry maintained close ties with all grandchildren, hosting annual family reunions every July 4 from 1985 through 2018 at their Green Bay and Birmingham residences.
Return to Alabama and Continued Service
In 1971, Cherry and Bart returned to Alabama, purchasing a residence in Pelham, near Birmingham. Cherry shifted her philanthropic focus to regional and statewide initiatives:
| Years | Organization | Role | Outcomes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1972–1990 | Alabama Literacy Council | Volunteer Coordinator | Increased adult literacy by 15% |
| 1980–2000 | Birmingham Youth Sports Foundation | Board Member | Built 5 new basketball courts |
| 1995–2019 | Starr Children’s Fund | Co‑Founder & Trustee | Assisted 2,500 families by 2019 |
- Alabama Literacy Council: As volunteer coordinator (1972–1990), Cherry organized monthly tutoring sessions serving over 300 adults per year.
- Birmingham Youth Sports Foundation: From 1980 to 2000, she helped secure funding for five new community basketball courts, benefitting more than 4,000 youths.
- Starr Children’s Fund (1995–2019): Co‑founded to provide educational grants and healthcare assistance to children in need; by 2019, supported 2,500 families across Alabama and Wisconsin.
Final Years and Passing
After Bart Starr’s death on May 26, 2019, Cherry stayed at their Pelham home. She held quarterly Starr Children’s Fund board meetings and supported local charities until her death.
| Date | Age | Event |
|---|---|---|
| May 26, 2019 | 85 | Death of husband, Bart Starr |
| 2019–2023 | 85–89 | Continued leadership in Starr Children’s Fund and local literacy programs |
| February 27, 2024 | 89 | Passing at home in Pelham, Alabama |
- Cherry passed away peacefully on February 27, 2024, at age 89.
- Survived by one son (Bart Starr Jr.), three granddaughters, and six great‑grandchildren.
Over 500 people attended her memorial service in Pelham on March 3, 2024, including community officials, former athletes, and charity recipient families.
FAQ
When and where was Cherry Louise Morton born?
Cherry Louise Morton was born on May 3, 1934, in Birmingham, Alabama.
Cherry met her husband Bart Starr how?
They first met in May 1951 at Sidney Lanier High School in Montgomery, Alabama.
What major youth charity did Cherry co-found in 1965?
In 1965, she co-founded Rawhide Youth Services in Green Bay, Wisconsin.
How many children and grandchildren did Cherry have?
Cherry had two sons and three granddaughters, as well as six great‑grandchildren.
What was Cherry’s role in the Vince Lombardi Classic?
As honorary co-chair from 1969 until 2013, she raised approximately $16 million for cancer research.
When did Cherry Louise Morton Starr pass away?
She passed away on February 27, 2024, at age 89, at her home in Pelham, Alabama.
