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On Sunday, February 27, 2022, HERMAN ELIJAH CHEEKS, known a“Sonny,” transitioned to be with his heavenly Father at age 90. Herman was born December 3, 1931 in Clarksville, Virginia to the late Elijah Cheeks and late Emma Cheeks-Spencer. Herman attended public school in Clarksville, Virginia, and his family moved to Baltimore, Maryland in 1942. Herman’s first job was delivering prescriptions for a local Dundalk pharmacy. While delivering prescriptions to the Evans’ household, he met the love of his life, Mary Evans that courtship developed into a proposal of marriage. Herman and Mary were married on December 23, 1950 by the late Rev. Nathaniel Mondie, and out of this union was born six children. Herman began employment in the tin mill at Bethlehem Steel in Sparrows Point, Maryland on August 2, 1951 where he remained until he retired on January 28, 1994. Herman was a dedicated and hard worker, and no matter what the weather or time of day, he went to work. He worked for 43 years, and trained others. During 1968, Herman and Mary decided to move their family from Turner Station, and was the frst family to integrated the neighborhood in Dundalk area. Herman was baptized at an early age, and became a member of the Galilee Baptist Church in 1943. He was a faithful member, and joined the trustee board. Herman was dedicated and received acknowledgement on June 16, 2002 for assisting with obtaining a side ramp for the church. He served faithfully until his illness. Herman loved the Lord, and set the strong foundation for his family, God being the head of the household. Herman loved to read the Bible, and Psalm 23 was one of many scriptures that Herman would recite. Herman was a dedicated husband, “Daddy”, “Pop Pop”, father-in-law, brother, brother-in-law, and uncle. He was a father figure for others, and his loving message to his children was, “You all stick together and take care of Momma.” Herman loved family, and Mary was his, “Baby,” who he loved dearly for 71 years, and she would say, “ Baby, I love you with all my heart.” Their 50th wedding anniversary was a special day with family and friends. He took great joy being surrounded by his children, grandchildren, nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends at family gatherings. Herman loved his snacks, and before he would eat anything, he would pray over it, even if it was only one potato chip. Herman loved to take vacations with his family which included his grandchildren. His favorite sports teams were the Ravens and the Orioles. Herman was hospitalized during December 2018, and after surgeries and being in care facilities, God blessed him to return home with his family on April 17, 2020 under the care of Johns Hopkins Home-Based Medicine. Herman had an original song that he would sing almost every day, “Jesus Jesus, Jesus” praising Him and never complaining. Herman was preceded in death by his sons, Herman Elijah Cheeks Jr., Herman Clinton Cheeks and daughter, Dianne Jenkins. Herman leaves to cherish his memory: wife, Mary Cheeks; daughters, Rosetta Cheeks, Teresa Cheeks-Johnson and Brenda Cheeks; sons-in-law, Edwin Jenkins Sr. and Maurice Johnson; grandchildren, Edwin Jenkins Jr., Latrondra Jenkins, Anthony Jenkins, Teresa Arthur, Brian Cheeks, Brenda Lynette Cheeks; great-grandchildren, Elizah Jenkins and Airik Jenkins; brother, William “Pete” Cheeks; sister-in-law, Genevieve McComas; sister, Hattie Mae Riddick; brother-in-law, Leeroy Brooks and wife Michelle Brooks; special family friend, Harold Carter; nieces, nephews, and host of other relatives and friends.

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Herman E. Cheeks

December 3, 1931 - February 27, 2022