Mary Cheeks Obituary - Visitation & Funeral Information

On Saturday, July 2, 2022,MARY LIZZIE CHEEKS transitioned to be with her heavenly Father at age 87. Mary was born on June 27, 1935 in Prince Edward, Virginia to the late Walter and Rosa Evans. Mary attended public school in Prince Edward, Virginia, and her family moved to Baltimore Maryland in 1942. She graduated from Baltimore County Public Schools. Mary showed a great interest in cosmetology and received her state board license for cosmetology in 1982. Mary was employed at various jobs before her employment in the Baltimore County Public School System. She was employed by the Baltimore County Public System and retired from Patapsco High School in 1989 after 28 years of service. Mary’s great love story began when she met the late Herman Cheeks while he was delivering prescriptions to the Evans’ household. This courtship developed into a proposal of marriage, and their love was undeniable. On December 23, 1950 Herman and Mary were married by the late Rev. Nathaniel Mondie. They were married for 71 years, and out of this union were born six children. Mary was baptized at an early age, and was a member at First Baptist Church, in Essex, Maryland, and later became a faithful member at Galilee Baptist Church. She loved the Lord with all of her heart. Marywas a member of the former Serene Gospel Chorus and the ministry leader for the former youth and junior choir. The junior choir members look forward to receiving the McDonalds “Mickey D. Award.” God blessed Mary with many talents, one being playing the organ and piano for Galilee Baptist Church on occasions, and other churches in the community. Mary coordinated banquets for the Galilee Baptist Church,and also the annual fellowship with the Saint John Baptist Church of Tappahannock, Virginia. Prior to illness, Mary enjoyed the fellowship with the Women’s Ministry of Galilee. Mary was a dedicated wife, “Momma”, “MaMa”, sister, mother-in-law, sister-in-law and aunt. She was kind hearted and giving with a loving spirit . Mary loved to take vacations with her family which included her grandchildren. She also enjoyed attending plays, movies, and going, out to dinner with family and friends, having family gatherings, and shopping prior to illness. “Just a Closer Walk with Thee” was one of Mary’s favorite songs that she would sing and play on the organ or piano a long with her family. Mary showed great joy in cooking and baking for family and friends. She was also creative and crafty. Sewing, making ﬂoral arrangements, and home decor were some of Mary’s talents. Mary was under the medical care of the Johns Hopkins Home-Based Medicine Team, and would say daily, “ God is taking care of me. I’m under the Lord’s care.” Mary would tell her daughters throughout theday that she loved them, and would tell them, “Thank You for taking care of me.” Mary was preceded in death by her husband, Herman Elijah Cheeks; sons, Herman Elijah Cheeks Jr. and Herman Clinton Cheeks; daughter, Dianne Jenkins; and siblings, Shirley, Lena, Rosalee, Mildred, George, Carroll, Samuel, and Walter. Mary leaves to cherish her memory: 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 and Brenda Lynette Cheeks; great-grandchildren, Elizah Jenkins and Airik Jenkins; brother, Leeroy Brooks; brother-in-law, William “Pete” Cheeks; sisters-in-law, Genevieve McComas and Hattie Mae Riddick; friends Mary thought of as family, her “Sis” Mary Rose Wilson, Vergie Young, Elnora Merricks, Mildred E. Ranson and Harold Carter; nieces, nephews, and host of other relatives and friends. So many things of Mom I miss, her gentle hug and tender kiss; I still can feel her warm embrace, and yet picture her loving face. A Mother’s work is never done, and Heaven must have of needed one; For angels came and took her hand, and led her to the promised land; She’s surely kept quite busy there brushing little angels hair. Although there’s sadness, this I know, she’s waiting there, her face aglow; I close my eyes and I can see her arms still open wide for me. I Love And Miss You, Mom.

Tributes

Mary Cheeks

June 27, 1935 - July 2, 2022