Ellen Irene Cherry
Ellen Irene Cherry
Funeral services for Ellen Irene Cherry, 86, West Plains, Missouri, will be held at 11:00 a.m., Wednesday, April 28, 2021 at First Baptist Church, under the direction of Robertson-Drago Funeral Home.
Mrs. Cherry passed away at 11:14 p.m., Monday, April 26, 2021, at Pleasant Valley Manor. She departed this life to be with Jesus and join her husband, Dennis in Heaven.
She was born August 16, 1934, at Koshkonong, Missouri, to Floyd and Hazel Helmer Bench. Irene grew up in Lanton, Missouri along with her siblings, Jean Bench Hogan, Bob Bench, Floyd Bench and Clara Zell Bench Cherry. She received her education at Myatt Township School and West Plains High School. On November 7, 1950, she was married at Salem, Arkansas, to Dennis Duane Cherry, who preceded her in death on March 14, 2013. As the wife of a Naval Master Chief, Irene lived in California, Virginia, South Carolina, Rhode Island, the Philippine Islands, Florida, Illinois, Cuba and Tennessee. She thoroughly enjoyed every place they were stationed and always felt that if she and Dennis and her daughters were together, anyplace was home. Irene worked outside the home once her daughters were in school at a variety of jobs. One of her favorites was the tourism office at the Naval base in the Philippine Islands. She enjoyed getting to know the Filipino people and arranging trips that allowed the servicemen and families to see the beauty there. Irene loved the Lord and her husband, Dennis. She served in churches alongside Dennis in every place he was stationed in any capacity where she was needed, but especially as a Sunday School teacher and mentor to younger women. It was at First Baptist Church, West Plains, where she touched so many lives – mentoring younger women and babysitting for them when children were sick and along with Dennis organizing and running the first Marriage Retreat. As leaders of a large couples’ class, they met the needs of many people and were instrumental in leading many people to faith in Christ. She was a blessing to many people and an example of true Christianity.
She is survived by her daughters and their husbands, Cynthia and Jack Doss, West Plains, Missouri and Pamela and Albert Kinney, Severna Park, Maryland; her grandchildren, Rebecca Doss and partner, Teresa Hornsby, Ormond, Florida, Caleb Kinney and wife, Amber, Frederick, Maryland, Sarah Doss, West Plains, Grace Kinney Lerch and husband, Caleb, Calgary, Canada, Creghton Kinney, Emma Kinney and Mia Kinney of Severna Park, Maryland; her great-grandchildren, John and Evie Niesen, Celia Doss and Jacob Mackey all of West Plains, Hazel Mae Kinney, Frederick, Maryland; two brothers, Bob Bench and Floyd Bench and wife, Vadna; one sister, Clara Zell Cherry; one sister-in-law, Susie Whitsell; along with many nieces and nephews.
Her parents, husband, one sister, Jean Hogan, one nephew, Steven Bench and three brothers-in-law, Vance Hogan, James Cherry and Phil Whitsell, preceded her in death.
Visitation will be held prior to the service from 10:00 until 11:00 a.m., Wednesday, at First Baptist Church. Burial will be in the Oak Lawn Cemetery. Memorial contributions may be made to St. Jude’s Children’s Research Hospital or First Baptist Church West Plains Benevolence Fund and may be left at or mailed to Robertson-Drago Funeral Home, 211 West Main, West Plains, MO 65775.
There can never be enough expressions of gratitude for the compassionate care Irene received at Pleasant Valley Manor during her time as a resident there. Her family is extremely grateful for the way all the employees treated her with respect and love. At the end of her life, Three Rivers Hospice provided comfort and support for her during her last days.
Shelley Surface
April 27, 2021 @ 12:33 pm
Cindy and Family, I am so sorry to hear about your mom. She was the nicest lady. She always dressed sharp and looked beautiful. I always thought she had the most beautiful hair and smile. She touched many lives. My thoughts and prayers go out to each one of you during this time. Shelley
Kathy Beaty
April 27, 2021 @ 12:34 pm
Cindy & Jack and Family.
So sorry to hear of your sweet mother passing. Heaven gains a great gal. Now she is with her love, Dennis again.
Prayers for comfort.
Cherish her memory.
Kathy (Bray) Beaty
Fara Cheever
April 27, 2021 @ 12:44 pm
I am saddened to hear of Irene’s passing , but also rejoice that she has been reunited with her sweet husband. She touched my family’s life through her ministry at FBC with Dennis . My children were some that she cared for while I worked a few times. Praying for peace and comfort for her family.
Melody Clubine
April 27, 2021 @ 1:05 pm
Cindy, Pam and family: I put the following remembrance on my social media account this morning, but no written or spoken word could ever truly convey what your mama meant to me and those who knew and loved her and were loved by her. Your mama and daddy were a living embodiment of the charge to go and make disciples.. and they did so with a grace and mercy seen only in the Jesus they loved so much! Praying God uses your mama’s legacy to comfort you till you’re with her and your sweet daddy again!
‘Too few times in this life does someone come along that truly impacts your life in ways that are eternal. Especially those who walk their talk faithfully. I have been blessed to have several of those specials in my life, and Ms Irene Cherry was definitely one of the most prominent. She and Mr Dennis came into my life at one of the hardest, lowest points. They loved me and Manda unconditionally, Ms Irene taught me to pray over my house and kids (and later my husband and marriage), had the best recipes, gave wonderful godly advice, she and her home were always welcoming and had such a great personal flair (her beautiful hats!), they were pillars of support for us and countless others God put in their path. When Mr Dennis went to be with Jesus, I posted the song ‘Thank You For Giving To The Lord’…. but today, knowing that they are together once again, and knowing that altho they fiercely loved all of us ‘kids’ (that’s what she always called us, regardless of age! ?) that God gifted them with, Jesus was their first love and priority always, and as Manda and I talked about them, all I can think for Ms Irene is ‘I Can Only Imagine’! Ms Irene, I will never forget you, as I will carry part of your heart with me always, and will work hard to pay your legacy of love and faith forward till He calls us to all be together again someday… To Cindy, Pam and their families, the Clubine family sends their love, thoughts and prayers.. we love y’all. ?? ‘
Kay James
April 27, 2021 @ 2:36 pm
My sincere condolences to Cindy and all the family. She was a wonderful lady.
Wayne Stewart
April 27, 2021 @ 3:56 pm
Sorry to hear of the loss! I thought a lot of both your folks, Cindy. Much LOVE to all of you during this hard time!
Craig and Sherri Cromer
April 27, 2021 @ 4:30 pm
So sorry for your loss. Our thoughts and prayers are with you and all your family.
Amber Redburn
April 27, 2021 @ 5:55 pm
Cindy, Jack, and Family,
We want to extend our deepest sympathy to all of you on the passing of Cindy’s Mother, Irene. During this difficult time may God encourage, strengthen, comfort, and give each of you peace. We will have all of you in our daily prayers. May God bless all of you.
In Christian Love,
Norris/Ivene Cozort
Tim, Amber, and Corby Redburn
Kathy hollingshad
April 27, 2021 @ 8:50 pm
Cindy,
There are no words except Hellelujah!!
Of course I cannot attend her service tomorrow .I will be in mt home getting my shoulder fixed.please feel our prayers and our love for you all. Now try to get some well deserved rest. You and your family took wonderful care of sweet Irene. Her sweet voice will forever be in my ear cheering me on ??
Hassel and Alice Vandergriff
April 28, 2021 @ 6:12 am
Cindy and all of Mrs. Cherry’s family, we are so sorry to learn of her passing. Thinking of you and praying for you all. God bless you.
Julie Hunter
April 28, 2021 @ 2:53 pm
Cindy, Pam, and family, our deepest condolences. Through tears I smile thinking about Irene’s entrance into Heaven- “Well done thy good and faithful servant!” and the celebration with Jesus and Dennis! I appreciate the inclusion in the obituary of the work Irene and Dennis did with young married couples in West Plains. Steve and I were just one couple who benefitted from their Godly wisdom and example. We moved to West Plains with two babies (later adding another) knowing no one but soon we were taken under Mr. Dennis and Miss Irene’s wings. They loved us and our children as if we were their own. I credit their guidance through teaching and retreats for the strength in our marriage. They were our first phone call when we needed advice or help. Irene and Dennis are two of God’s greatest blessings in my life. Hugs and prayers.
Eugene smith
April 29, 2021 @ 7:52 am
Cindy and Jack,
Sorry to hear about your loss. It is always painful to give them up,even when we know they are safe in the arms of Jesus. Our prayers for your comfort and strength.Eugene and Rose Smith.