Cheri Denise Whitehead

Cheri Denise (Melancon) Whitehead, PhD. age 73, died peacefully in her home on March 5, 2026. She was born February 16, 1953 in Cherry Point, North Carolina to Gloria Audrey and Joseph Clyde Melancon. Being part of a Marine Corps family, she moved around the country ultimately ending up in Orange County where she spent most of her life.

Cheri was a profoundly hardworking and intelligent woman with multiple degrees. She began with a BA in Psychology from La Verne College in 1974 Followed by a MS in Business Organizational Management 1983 and MBA in 1985 from La Verne College, a MA Psychology with an emphasis in Marriage, Family, and Child Counseling from Chapman University in 1994, a MS Special Education from National University 2005, a Ph.D. in Education from Chapman University 2014.

No one who knew Cheri forgot her passion for books, learning, travel and her students. She collected many artifacts from her journeys around the world and had the desire to amplify the voices of underrepresented groups. She strove to understand and share stories from people with different backgrounds and experiences. She worked for Lockheed, CADAM, and WomanKind. Then she decided to work in education, which she dedicated herself to for 21 years. Cheri was involved in leadership in Boy Scouts of America, PTA, School Site Council, Gate Board Member, school legislation activist, church committees, performing arts, and community events. She loved cheese, vinegared okra, raw oysters with Tabasco, staying up late, and warm weather.

On August 11, 1973, she married Steve Harold Whitehead, who predeceased her in 1991. Cheri is survived by her son, Daniel Joseph Whitehead and wife Pia, grandchildren Nyx and Cassian, her brother, Joseph C. Melancon Jr. and wife Cathy, nieces Joneau and Audrey Nerissa, numerous great nieces and great nephews, and friends.