On October 4, 1957, the same day the Russians launched Sputnik (the first artificial satellite to orbit the earth), Cheryl Lynn Reeves (Anderson) joined the world as the second daughter to Cleo and Raymond Reeves and younger sister to Susan Reeves (Truax) and passed away unexpectedly on July 20, 2020. Cheryl is preceded in death by her father, Raymond Reeves and survived by her mother, Cleo Streater; daughter, Kimberly Anderson and her husband David Gollner; son, Joshua Anderson and his wife Laura; grandchildren, Kaitlynn, Oliver and Isobel; sister, Susan Truax and her husband Gary; brother, Gene Reeves; nephew, Jonathan Truax and his wife Marissa; niece, Allison Jackson and her husband Clayton; great-niece, Brianna Truax; and numerous relatives. Cheryl was a devoted mother, grandmother, daughter, sister and aunt. Her face lit up whenever she talked about her children and beautiful grandbabies.She adored her children and raised Kimberly and Joshua to be strong and independent adults. Over time their relationship changed from mother-child to a close friendship. Cheryl and Kim shared the love of the game of World of Warcraft (WOW) and were a powerful team. Cheryl and Joshua spent most of football season cheering on their beloved Dallas Cowboys. Born in Houston, Texas, Cheryl was a second generation Houstonian and third generation Texan, something that was always a source of pride to her. Cheryl lived in Houston her entire life and graduated from S. P. Waltrip High School. She earned her bachelor’s degree in education with honors from the University of Houston. As a voracious reader and lover of history, Cheryl had a passion for learning and transferred that passion into her twenty year career as a public-school teacher, changing and improving the lives of her students. Cheryl loved teaching and embraced this throughout her career and into “retirement”. When Cheryl retired from her career as a schoolteacher, instead of sitting on the porch and watching life go by, she found a new passion .as an activist! She began volunteering within her local AFT and quickly found her calling. Every fall, she met with teachers, informing them of their rights and of course, encouraging them to join the Union. Cheryl worked tirelessly for TARA and Texas AFT. For the last four years, Cheryl was the TARA Houston President where her passion for helping others and advocating for retiree causes served as an inspiration for all who knew her and worked with her. Cheryl was the founding chair of Texas AFT Retiree Plus where she advocated for cooperative work between TARA and Texas AFT. In this new role, Cheryl became a force like no other and made many positive inroads for other retirees. Yet another avenue where Cheryl could work to help improve the lives of others. During the past two presidential campaigns, Cheryl campaigned tirelessly with the AFL-CIO, AWU, and the Teamsters in support of the Democratic Party. She truly did not care where your vote was cast, as long as you voted. She felt you did not have the right to complain unless you made an effort for change. At the time of her death, Cheryl was already gearing up to virtually continue her work for this year’s presidential election. Her creativity and passion will be sorely missed. Cheryl wore many hats mother, grandmother, daughter, sister, friend, teacher and activist. Her passion for life, learning, and love of her family were her driving forces. Cheryl touched many lives and our lives are better for knowing her. A celebration of Cheryl’s life will be held Sunday, July 26, 2020 at 1 PM in the chapel of Heights Funeral Home. A recording of Cheryl’s service will be available on Facebook Monday, July 27th.
In Memoriam