Sherrie Lee Cheney

Sherrie was born on July 29, 1931, in Cape Girardeau, Missouri, prior to World War II, and was raised during the Great Depression.

Her parents were Helen Marie (Maxwell) Essner and Norbert Essner, and she was later lovingly raised by her mother Helen and stepfather, Leighton E. Lott. The family moved to Shreveport,Louisiana, and later to Alice, Texas, where she graduated from William Adams High School in 1949.

Sherrie went on to train as a Registered Nurse at Charity Hospital in New Orleans, dedicating her life to caring for others with compassion and skill. Over her long nursing career, she touched countless lives with her kindness, professionalism, and warmth.

She was preceded in death by her father Norbert Essner; her mother Helen Lott; her stepfather Leighton Lott; her first husband, Lieutenant Lloyd D. Cogdill; her beloved son Larry D. Cogdill;and her second husband, Freeman A. Cheney.

She is survived by her daughter Sherisa Lynn Cogdill, her grandsons, Lance D. Cogdill and BrettL. Cogdill, as well as her stepchildren, Peggy and John Cheney, and step grandchildren Elizabeth(Cheney) Sleiman and Matthew Cheney. As an only child, Sherrie also had many dear cousins,who were more like brothers and sisters to her. Besides her family, Sherrie also had many close friends who will forever cherish her love and memories over the years.

A Life Well Lived:

She was most known for her deep passion for travel, both international and domestic. Sherrie went on dozens of cruises and countless trips throughout her amazing life, exploring the world with wonder and joy. She also loved playing tennis and attended regular exercise classes, well into her 90s. Following in the footsteps of her mother, Helen, Sherrie was a dedicated volunteer for many years and received numerous accolades for her service work. Her volunteer work included ushering at her church, working the information desk at several hospitals and ushering for many local and Broadway productions at several San Diego area venues. Her adventurous spirit, generous heart, and unwavering faith will be remembered by all who knew her.

A small family memorial service was held on September 14, 2025, in honor of her amazing,long and healthy life. She was interred alongside her parents, Helen and Leighton and her son Larry, at East Lawn Palms Cemetery in Tucson, Arizona.

“Sherrie’s love, laughter, warmth, and adventurous spirit will live forever in the hearts of those who knew her. Though she has journeyed on, her light continues to guide us.”