Cheryl L. Hughes

Cheryl Lavern Hughes was born on January 16, 1958, in Toledo, Ohio to Oliver and Patricia (Barry) Hughes. Cheryl was the eldest of four children, Kevin Oliver (K.O.), Bonnie and Terrence. Cheryl was a Daddy’s girl through and through, as a child, she and K.O. created a game called “Big Oliver, Little Oliver” and they took turns bossing Bonnie and Terrence around role playing their father. She loved being the oldest and in charge. As children they were all close, but Cheryl and Bonnie shared a very close bond of sisterhood throughout their lives, and they always supported each other. Cheryl was a protector and even as an adult she took it upon herself to always check in with all the kids, keeping the family together with updates. She never passed the opportunity to give you her opinion especially if you needed support or encouragement. Cheryl shared a special bond with her older cousins: Kimberly Hughes (deceased), and Anita Barry Sanders. They were more like big sisters to Cheryl, and she loved it. They often taught her the latest dances when they were young. She never met a line dance that she could not or would not do at a party. She also had an intense love for gospel and secular music with her favorite artist being Stevie Wonder. Cheryl’s life changed forever and she got to know a love like no other with the birth of her son, Anthony Jermain Hughes. They were inseparable, as she poured into him all that she could and supported him in his many endeavors in education and sports. One of her fondest memories was watching him get married to the love of his life Reyna Mangrum. She had a close relationship with Reyna’s parents and was proud to be Reyna’s Mother In-Love. Cheryl had a passion for knowledge and education, she graduated from Rogers High School in 1977. She obtained an associate degree from Owens Community College and her bachelor’s from The University of Toledo. Cheryl had a great love of reading that was sparked by watching her father study his bible when she was young. She would often walk her siblings to the library to get books to read. As an adult she would go on to work in the Toledo Public Library system for over 25 years, serving at Downtown Public & Mott branches to name a few. Not one to sit still after retiring, she worked several jobs, her most favorite was as a Bus Aide. She loved the children on her route and would teach them songs. Cheryl would often share stories of her bus adventures with her family. If there is one thing people knew about Cheryl it was that she knew and loved Jesus. She was a faithful member of Warren A.M.E. Church for over 40 years. She attended Bible Study and Church School, served as a Class Leader, a Small Group Ministry Leader, a member of the Women’s Missionary Society, Ruth Circle (WMS Young Women’s Initiative) and Daughters of Zion Women’s Ministry. Cheryl a known praiser and worshipper always had a song in her heart. She sang in the Toledo Interfaith Choir and in her beloved Voices in Praise (VIP) Choir at Warren. Being a choir member was one of her greatest joys. You could always spot her in the choir rocking with a bounce, clapping and smiling broadly. Cheryl loved being active in many organizations, but she truly relished her role within her family. She would attend as many family cookouts, graduations, and dinners as possible to be with her family. Cheryl shared a love for taking pictures with her father Oliver, she was always taking photos at family gatherings and events. Cheryl played different roles in her life among them was supporter. When her mother Patricia became ill with cancer, Cheryl stepped up and ensured she was always at her Cancer Support Group meetings and even after her mother’s passing, she still supported the group. Always being the big sister, she kept tabs on her brother K.O. by checking in on him daily. Her heart was so big, and she never knew a stranger, helping anyone in need. Her personality was larger than life and she possessed a brilliant smile and contagious laugh that would brighten a room. Cheryl loved to laugh and would attend comedy shows when she could. She was a crafter, creating beautiful handmade one-of-a-kind blankets, shawls, hats, and scarves crocheted with love. On Tuesday, December 7, 2021, at Ebeid Hospice, Flower Hospital Cheryl left this earthly realm and joined her mother, father, uncles, aunties, grandparents, and cousins in heaven with our Lord and Savior. Cheryl was preceded in death by her parents, Oliver and Patricia Hughes, Maternal and Paternal grandparents, Uncle Edgar and Auntie Willa Mae Hughes, Auntie Yvonne Taylor, Cousin/Sister Kimberly Hughes. She leaves to cherish her memory: Son, Minister Anthony (Reverend Reyna) Hughes; Siblings Kevin and (Shawn) Hughes, Bonnie Hughes, Pastor Terrence (Rachel) Hughes; Special Cousin/Brother Darrel (Jackie) Hughes, Special Cousin/Sister Anita Barry Sanders; Auntie Odessa Caldwell; Nephews: Kevin Hughes Jr, Brandon Hughes, Brandon Palmer; Nieces: Taitianna (Jason) Thompson, Baylee Hughes, Tiffany Thomas, Caprice Thomas, Gya Tramil, and Shamya Tramil; Great Nephews: Joshua Houston, Antonio Thompson, James Thompson, Dominic Palmer; Great Nieces: Faith Reed, Elle Palmer, Kennedy Palmer; Special Sister: Freddy Mallet Hughes, as well as a host of cousins and friends.