Maria Cherry (also known as Mariana), age 56, loving mother of Laura Cherry and wife to husband Wayne Cherry, passed away on the evening of December 23rd after a courageous battle with brain cancer. Maria was born on March 5, 1965, in the village of Izvorul Aneștilor located on the outskirts of Severin, Romania. She grew up in a large family with 3 siblings and many aunts and uncles. Maria began her career as a customs broker for Elba, an electrical company located in Timișoara, Romania, after earning her masters in mechanical engineering. In December of 1989, a worker’s protest at Elba that Maria took part in became instrumental in sparking the Revolution to overthrow the communist government.
Despite her many hardships in life, Maria never lost her zeal for God and caring for others. Maria was instrumental in starting 5 churches in Romania alongside Jimmy Ford. She refused to move to America to marry her husband until she converted all of her immediate family. Even after moving to America, she continued to lead mission trips back to Romania almost every year for as long as she was able, as well as fundraising for the works. She also continued her career as a customs broker at ABB Inc. for 23 more years.
The most important things to Maria were God and her family. Every person that she crossed paths with became a better person from knowing her. Her vivacious energy and light touched everyone she met, and her memory lives on in her friends and family.
Maria is preceded in death by her parents, Melania and Marin Mihăescu, and her younger sister, Iuliana Mihăescu. She is survived by her husband, Wayne Cherry; daughter, Laura Cherry; brother, Nelu Mihăescu; sister, Milica (Mitica) Stănciulescu; niece, Emilia (Joe) Menghes; and dog, Cinnamon Cherry.
A gathering of family and friends for Maria will be held Friday, December 31, 2021 from 12:00 PM to 2:00 PM at Memphis Funeral Home and Memorial Gardens, 3700 North Germantown Parkway, Bartlett, TN 38133. A celebration of life service will occur Friday, December 31, 2021 from 2:00 PM to 2:45 PM, 3700 North Germantown Parkway, Bartlett, TN 38133. A graveside service will occur Friday, December 31, 2021 from 3:00 PM to 3:15 PM, 3700 North Germantown Parkway, Bartlett, TN 38133.
Please wear bright colors as requested by Maria.
Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.MemphisFuneralGermantownParkway.com for the Cherry family.
