Cheri Lee Hensley
January 28, 1947 ~ September 13, 2011
Cheri Lee Engleright Mills Hensley was returned home Tuesday, the 13th of September 2011 at the age of 64. Cheri was born the daughter of Norman Engleright and Gwendolyn Breitels Engleright in Grand Haven, Michigan January 28th, 1947.
She grew up on the shores of Lake Michigan playing amongst the pines and sand dunes while watching boats steam in and out of the channel headed for the great lake that lay across the street from her childhood home on Harbor Avenue. Upon graduating high school in Grand Haven Cheri pursued an education degree at Kent State University in Kent, Ohio and it was in Kent that she would meet Larry Thomas Mills who would become her husband in 1973 and the father of her two children. Cheri would use her degree as an inspirational art teacher in the Ravenna, Ohio school system before having her two blessings, Chelsea Michelle Mills in 1976 and Patrick Lawrence Mills in 1981. Cheri returned to Kent State to obtain her Master's degree in early childhood education in 1984 while still raising her two young children. She would continue to work in the education field around north east Ohio after earning her master's degree. Through her work Cheri influenced and affected the lives of many children, but none of the lives so much as that of her own children. Cheri moved to Rocky Mount North Carolina from Ohio in 1992 where she would be drawn to Grace Reformed Baptist Church and where she began to nurture the children of the church and then indirectly influencing those of eastern North Carolina by founding and operating a Child Development Study Care Service.
Cheri was preceded in death by her father, Norman and brother, Michael; she is survived by her mother, Gwendolyn of Nags Head NC; brother, Jimmy and family of Dumfries Va; daughter, Chelsea Mills Spencer and Richard Spencer along with their children, Nita and Trey of Raleigh NC ; son, Patrick Mills of Wilmington NC.
A special thank you goes out to The Grace Reformed Baptist Church family along with the Long and Spencer families for their care and support for Cheri during her brief fight for life against cancer.
Donations in lieu of flowers should be made to the Hospice House of Wake County NC in the name of Cheri.
Arrangements entrusted to Wheeler and Woodlief Funeral Home, 1130 N. Winstead Avenue, Rocky Mount NC 27804. You may share memories and condolences with the family by visiting www.wheelerwoodlief.com.
Visitation
Wheeler & Woodlief Funeral Home & Cremation Services
1130 N. Winstead Ave.
Rocky Mount, NC 27804
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Friday 9/16, 7:00 pm - 8:30 pm
Service
Grace Reformed Baptist Church
5645 Hunter Hill Road
Rocky Mount, NC 27804
Saturday 9/17, 12:00 pm
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From teaching my daughter how to swim, to doghouse-sitting for us, to being the official coffee maker at church, and, most importantly, for being my dear friend, Cheri blessed me with her love and friendship. I will always cherish Cheri and the dear memories I have of her kind heart and spirit. Looking forward to spending eternity with her because of our Savior, Jesus Christ! Much sympathy to Patrick, Chelsea, Richard and the grandkids. Praying for you!
I am grateful to have known Cheri through the gym and line dancing. We had some wonderful times. Cheri’s love of dance was a joy to share. She will be remembered and she will be missed. My heartfelt condolences to Cheri’s family. Deborah Hartness
I’m so sorry for your loss. I only met Cheri a few times during a line dance class in Wilson. She was a beautiful and talented person. Love and prayers, Wanda Dorsey
Cheri and I were best friends in the 6th grade. I have spent the last few summers in Grand Haven and have inquired about her and had hoped to reconnect last year at the 45th reunion. I am so sorry that didn’t happen as I have so many memories . We were the very few that lived down at the beach and I would sometimes get a ride to school with her dad. We were busy pre-teens reading Nancy Drew books and sharing dreams and all other important girl stuff. My life took me to Florida for most of Junior high and high school, so we lost touch. Please know that she is in my prayers as are her family. A special hello to Mrs. Engleright. Margot Baltz Quilllen Bilmar
My how time has flown by! I remember the girl that I took to our high school prom 47 years ago, daisies everywhere! It was Cheri that influenced me to continue my education and go to college. We lost touch after I graduated from high school and for that Im deeply sorry as we saw each other only a couple of times and had so little time to catch up. I still have my high school annual with pages of advice written from her heart. I always thought that we would meet again, have coffee and talk about the years gone by. Best wishes to Cheris family and my most sincere condolences; please believe me when I say that I feel a great loss. May the road rise to meet you, May the wind be always at your back, May the sun shine warm upon your face, May the rains fall soft upon your fields, And, until we meet again, May God hold you in the hollow of His hand Randall W. Jackson
Today is a Sunday and I just happen to pick up a Grand Haven Tribune to find one my best friend from grade school and high school had passed away. Cheri we had alot of talks when you lived on Hillcrest on the way to school. And just like Margot Baltz, I remember you living out at the Beach. You always lead by example in high school and you continue to do so through out your life. You truly will be missed not only by your family but those who knew you in Grand Haven, MI. You know the first thing I always thought about was how you and Jeanne had those long braids – how envious I was. Funny at a time like this you think of those little memories. See you again my friend Love Judy Klumpel (Botbyl) Childhood friend from Grand Haven, MI
Cheri was my very first love, we went to the prom together and I’m sadden with her passing. May God be with her and bless her family. Daniel Gelakoska