KILMARNOCK—Cherie Fowler went to her eternal home with the Lord on Easter Sunday, April 4, 2021.
She was preceded in death by her parents, Bill and BettyWeeks of Arlington.
Cherie is survived by her husband, Tom; sister Suzanne McCandless (David) of Alexandria; brothers, Billy Weeks (Melanie) of Glen Burnie, Md., and Tommy Weeks (Wendy) of Collierstown; and her beloved Golden-Doodle, Dutch.
Cherie was born on March 19, 1948, in Lexington in Stonewall Jackson’s home that had been converted to a hospital. She grew up in Arlington and graduated from Wakefield High School in 1966. She attended Longwood College and in 1970 graduated with a health and physical education degree.
On June 27, 1970, Cherie and Tom were married and lived briefly in Annandale. Cherie began her teaching career at Robinson High School. In 1972 Tom’s employer, McDonald’s Corporation, transferred him to Raleigh, N.C. Cherie taught a couple of years at Cary High School outside of Raleigh and then transferred to Ravenscroft School in North Raleigh.
At Ravenscroft she taught health and physical education, was chairperson of the Physical Education Department, coached volleyball and sponsored the school’s chapter of Fellowship of Christian Athletes (FCA). Cherie was also an active Bible study teacher and leader. She and a friend started a Bible Application Study attended by a large group of men and women, and she also held a morning Bible study for students before class. In 2004 Cherie was inducted in to the Ravenscroft Athletic Hall of Fame. She retired from Ravenscroft in 2006.
Prior to her retirement, the Cherie Fowler FCA Endowment Fund was established to assist Christian students attend Ravenscroft. After retirement from Ravenscroft, Cherie and Tom followed their love of sailing to the Chesapeake Bay to a home they purchased in 1992 in Kilmarnock. Shortly after purchasing their home they joined Irvington Baptist Church (IBC). When they moved there permanently in 2006, Cherie continued conducting Bible studies at IBC, became co-superintendent of the Sunday school program, and taught in an adult Sunday school class.
As Cherie transitioned to her Heavenly Home, she was greatly comforted by Hospice Services of VA. Outstanding and loving care was provided, in particular by her case manager Lori Rice.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Irvington Baptist Church, P.O. Box 417, Irvington, VA 22480.