Nancy J. Cheever

Nancy J Cheever was 92 but she seemed never to age. Born in Abilene, TX to Helen Stribling Jones and Robert William Jones, Nancy and her 3 brothers moved to San Antonio early in their lives. She graduated from Breckenridge High School early by skipping a grade and then attended Incarnate Word.

Nancy was a Water Safety Instructor at Fort Sam Houston, where she often met her brothers and friends for a little fun. While building pyramids on the side of the pool, she fell off the top of the pyramid onto a young 'soldier' by the name of John H Shary II. Wounded in France during WWII, he was recovering at BAMC. Actually, John had seen the blonde beauty in the 'social' section of the SA Express and had decided he was going to find a way to meet her. There, fate took over.

Nancy began her new life in the middle of miles of orchards. The home that John was building for them was 5 miles from his parents, Robert and Mary Shary. Within the next eight years, she delivered three boys and three girls. This was her greatest joy. She loved marching all six down the aisle every Sunday morning, girls in gloves, as it was quite a sight.

Nancy finished College and received her BS Degree when her girls reached High School. Nancy served on the Boards of The Salvation Army, Upper RGV Girl Scouts, Upper Valley Cotillion Club as well as the Board at the Mission Hospital. Nancy and Virginia Townsend co-founded OWLS, Organized Watchers of the Legal System, in Hidalgo County in 1988. She volunteered as a poll watcher and election judge and helped shape the educational system in the Sharyland School District with her countless hours of volunteering. Nancy served on the Board and was instrumental in getting the City of Mission to donate the John Shary Bank Building (and the land) to house the Mission Historical Museum. She later became Woman of the Year and was celebrated at the Annual Mission Historical Museum Gala. She continued after moving to San Antonio to restore a part of the property at the Museum into a garden honoring the Military Veterans. It continues to grow with brick walkways honoring the pioneers and their families since the early 1900s.

Nancy was widowed February 1, 1991, when John passed away from PCV (Polycythemia Vera). She spent the next 15 years continuing to devote her time to improving the County, the State, and anything she felt was not as it should be. She traveled, exercised, tap-danced with her girlfriends, and visited her children. She was present for the birth of many of her grandchildren. After 15 years and many proposals in which she had little interest, Nancy was in the Valley to stay. Charlie Cheever, a handsome man from the 1940s was introduced back into her life when his wife, Sally passed.

Not one man had our Mother giggle like a schoolgirl since our Dad died! She and Charlie had dated and had many friends in common when she was in High School and College. Their 'new first date was a party at her daughter, LizAnns home in Austin. Bill and LizAnn were celebrating their 25th Anniversary as well as celebrating Nancys 75th Birthday.

Only Charlie could have moved her away from the Valley. Nancy and Charlie began their marriage like school kids. Nobody brought that sparkle to her eyes like Charlie. They had so many good times with his six grown children and his grandchildren. He was close with Nancys children as well. Nancys eldest daughter Vaughan Morris died from Cancer in 2018. Though it broke Nancys heart, Charlie was there to help mend it.

When Charlie died in October of 2021, she was not to be consoled. She suffered the death of her very close Sister-in-Law, Peggy Frazier Jones the following week (the wife of her brother, R Roy Jones). Nancys other two brothers Robert W Jones & wife, Clara Jones and George Stribling Jones are also deceased.

The family who will be missing herR Roy Jones (Nancys brother), Sara Jones sister-in-law; her Children: Dr. John H Shary III, Robert B (Bob) Shary II (Shannon), T Michael Shary (Gretchen), LizAnn Shary-Orr (Bill), and Mici (Mary Helen) (Brad) Graham; as well as beloved son-in-law Dave Morris; Nannys Grands: CDR Robert B Shary III (Bret), Conor Shary (Lindsay), Erin Mallory Shary Idleman (Ian), SFC David M Morris (Lauren), Katie Morris Huff (Chris), Dr. Thomas M Shary, Jr. (Karen), Lauren Shary Miles (Colin), Blake Orr, Roy Orr, Clayton Orr (Mary), Joe Graham (Marcie), and Jeff Graham. Nancy had 21 great grandchildren in San Antonio, Austin, Houston, Rockwall, and Florida. TWO more are on their way!

Nancy and her entire family gratefully acknowledge the Cheever families. Mother spoke often of how close she had become to them as well as their children. They treated her so kindly during Charlies stroke as well as making sure she was cared for amidst many ER trips. Suzanne and Jim Goudge, CeCe Cheever and Tim McHugh, Charles III and Regina Cheever, Jean Cheever, Joan and Dennis Quinn, and Chris Cheever. We thank you for sharing your Dad and your lives.

A Celebration of Nancys Life will be held on Thursday, February 17, 2022, 11:30 a.m. at Trinity Baptist Church, 319 E. Mulberry Avenue in San Antonio. Those unable to attend the service may watch the live streaming here. Interment will be private for the family. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the San Antonio Zoo, or the San Antonio Botanical Gardens.

Click here to view the live stream of Mrs. Cheever's service.