99-Year-Old WWII Veteran Chosen As Railroad Days Grand Marshal

SELMA, N.C. – A 99-year-old World War II veteran with more than eight decades of military, ministry, business and community service has been selected to lead this year’s Selma Railroad Days Parade.

Retired Col. Sherrill Stevens, a Johnston County native who now lives in Selma, has been named Grand Marshal of the 51st Annual Selma Railroad Days Parade.

The parade will begin at 10:30 a.m. Saturday, Oct. 3, in downtown Selma.

Stevens has devoted more than 36 years to military service and more than five decades to serving others as a Baptist pastor, educator, author, businessman and community leader.

Born near Benson and raised near Clayton, Stevens graduated from Wilson’s Mills High School in 1943. He was drafted into the U.S. Army at age 18 during World War II.

Although the war ended before he completed basic training, Stevens later served in Germany as part of the Allied occupation forces.

He continued his military career in the U.S. Army Reserve, serving approximately 36 years before retiring as a colonel in 1981.

During his military career, Stevens served as an infantry officer, battalion and brigade chaplain, faculty member at the U.S. Army Chaplain School and assistant commandant responsible for mobilization and deployment.

After his military career, Stevens spent approximately 20 years in business, helping his children establish and grow family businesses, including Williamsburg Woodcraft in Selma and Clean Green Environmental in Durham.

His service also extended to the ministry.

For more than 55 years, Stevens served Baptist churches in North Carolina, Kentucky and Virginia. He also worked as an adjunct professor at Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary and Campbell University.

Stevens has authored nine books, including an autobiography, along with Sunday School and biblical interpretation resources.

His interest in teaching and education began while studying at Wake Forest College and continues today through biblical interpretation work on social media.

Stevens and his late wife, Marguerite, were married for 68 years. They raised three children, and their family now includes 10 grandchildren, 20 great-grandchildren and one great-great-grandchild. Another great-grandchild is expected soon.

Stevens will reach another milestone Jan. 18, 2027, when he celebrates his 100th birthday.

The Town of Selma selected Stevens as Grand Marshal in recognition of his lifetime of service to his country, faith, family and community.

The 51st Annual Selma Railroad Days Festival will be held Oct. 2-3 in downtown Selma, featuring live entertainment, food, vendors, train displays, family activities, a classic car show and the annual parade.