Cheryl Jean Stewart

CHERYL JEAN STEWART, loving daughter born to parents Hubbie and FanneRuth (Carlton) Haley. She was born on October 20, 1949, in Washington D.C. Cheryl was the middle daughter, sibling to eldest sister LaVerne, and younger sister Deborah. Cheryl’s Christian experience began when her mother and father did not send the girls to church, they attended church together as a family. Cheryl was raised to be a devoted Christian and lived this way her entire life. She sang in the choir in Chicago, always attended Sunday school, services, taught Sunday school, member of the Missionary Society and part of the quilting ministry.At a young age responsibility around the house was given with each of the girls having a section of the house to clean. Competition between Cheryl and her older sister LaVerne started early on in life due to the closeness in age. As they got older the competition increased. Cheryl was not going to let LaVerne outdo her in anything, such as studies, sports, crafts, sewing, fashions, cooking, and even boys. Growing up, Cheryl and LaVerne would help their Mom & Dad plan weekend trips to visit family in Arizona and one weekend a large motor home was leased to spend a weekend at Yosemite National Park. This togetherness carried into all things that these two sisters’ seem to do. If you saw one the other was close by. In other words, they were thick as thieves. Cheryl had a way of drawing a person into a conversation with an out of the way question. As she waits for the response, she would give you a half-smile, ready to burst-out with her unique laugh when you give the wrong response. Some women would pay to have Cheryl’s laugh.Cheryl’s education started in the early 1950's, the family moved from Washington, D.C. to Chicago, IL where Deborah was born in 1952. She attended grade school in the Chicago public school system. In 1957 the family moved to Robbins, IL, a suburb of Chicago in the home her Grandfather and Uncle Fred built for them. Cheryl attended Springfield Elementary and Junior High in Midlothian, and Dwight D. Eisenhower High School in Blue Island. She played the clarinet throughout most of these years which she enjoyed, following in the footsteps of her Uncle Fred and Father. In 1965, the family moved to Los Angeles, California; a memorable ride along Route 66 with dog, Wags, in tow. Cheryl was in the 11th grade. She always had an outgoing personality and befriended personas such as Debraca Foxx, daughter of Redd Foxx, comedian, while attending summer school at Dorsey High. Cheryl began the 11th grade in September 1965-1966 school year attending Los Angeles High School. While there, she resumed playing 2nd clarinet in the Romans Marching Band. She graduated in the summer of 1967,Cheryl continued her education towards an AA degree at Los Angeles City College. Throughout high school, Cheryl worked sales at JJ Newberry in Midtown. Later during junior college, she worked in the banking industry and assisted working sales with her mother, a successful manager with Tupperware.In 1967 Cheryl was presented as a Debutante with the National Council of Negro Women chaired by Nancy Wilson along with her elder sister walking arm in arm with their proud father. She enjoyed jazz and contemporary music, dancing, cats, their dog Wags and dressing. Cheryl was very fashionable and liked nice jewelry and outfits with matching handbags. She picked this up from her Mom. Cheryl had a very strong, balanced personality, quite mischievous, very well-read, enjoyed cooking, shopping networks and did both well. Cheryl married Melvyn Stewart on September 3, 1977. She was a very positive person, no negativity or complaining just took action. Cheryl knew what she wanted in a man. He had to be smart, good looking and didn’t talk a lot. Talking allot was Cheryl’s department! Most of the boys she met fell short of those traits until she met a young man named “Melvyn”. He had those qualities and a lot more! It was said that Mel was “Quiet”, but Mel was not so Quiet! Mel was SMART. He knew how to catch Cheryl, by giving her the utmost attention, and letting herlead the way, it worked! A HAPPY WIFE IS A HAPPY LIFE! Mel & Cheryl shared that LIFE. She enjoyed watching movies with Melvyn and taking road trips.Cheryl and Melvyn became legal guardians to their great-nephew, Micahel, when he was three in 1993. Cheryl was a good mother wanting Michael to achieve his potentials and they exposed him to many experiences. Cheryl lived a full, happy life to the end. The way she saw life we know she would want us to live our lives to the fullest with faith and love for the Lord. In October 2007 Cheryl and Melvyn were received into full membership at Bethel A. M. E. Church. Malvern, AR. She was the teacher for the Acquanetta Anderson Sunday School Class; member and vice president of the Spirit of Bethel choir; organized the Quilt ministry along with Deborah Smith, made quilts for the sick and shut-in; member of the Sara Perry Smith Missionary Society; local Commissioner of CDMC, 2007-2017, helped with Vacation Bible School and member of the Pastor’s Aide Club. Cheryl always helped the youth whenever asked and with special projects.Cheryl is predeceased by her Mother, Sister-LaVerne, and Father. She is survived by her loving husband of 42 years, Melvyn Stewart, son Micahel, youngest Sister Deborah (Glen) Jones who will miss her best friend, Aunt Grace Moore, Aunt Sophie Carlton, Nieces Sonia, and Tanya Wellington, many great-nieces, nephews, cousins, friends and acquaintances.