Cheryl Ann Juniel

Cheryl Ann Jones Juniel was born on July 5, 1953, in Lubbock, Texas to the union of Frenetta Jones and Oscar Lee Jones. After her mother and sister, Christina, moved to Phoenix, Cheryl attended Percy L. Julian and T. G. Barr Elementary Schools. Upon graduating, she attended and graduated from South Mountain High School. Cheryl attended Gateway Community College, receiving a certificate in hospital services. She briefly worked as a home caregiver, as well as at Motorola.

After college, Cheryl met and married Melvin Juniel on September 3, 1975. Together, they raised three children, Orlander, Melvin, and Twanya. The family would take trips around Arizona enjoying camping and fishing. Off to California they went, visiting other family members and amusement parks. They and the grandchildren would also travel around Arizona, Nevada and to Oklahoma. These enjoyable trips were full of fun and laughter.

Cheryl accepted the Lord Jesus Christ as her Savior at a young age. She was a member of St. John Institutional Baptist Church for many years and was an avid bible reader. Cheryl sang in the church with her beautiful alto voice. And she also sang in her brother’s church, as well as around the house.

Cheryl was an accomplished seamstress. It was her passion. She made dresses for herself and for her daughter and granddaughters. She also crocheted, knitted and learned to make quilts, spending time with her mother-in-law, Laura Harris, creating beautiful patterns. Another one of her passions was cooking and baking. She would rise early in the morning and fix breakfast for her husband before he left for work. Every now and then, she would go fishing alone and have a fish meal ready for dinner when Melvin would return from work. She would bake butter pound cakes and would ask Aunt Blanche how to bake her cakes. Understand, Aunt Blanche could make special cakes. Cheryl also baked pies so good they would make you hurt yourself. She was the only one that could make an Irish potato pie. They were so good!

Cheryl Ann Juniel departed this life Saturday, June 26th after fighting a long-term illness. Cheryl was preceded in death by her father, Oscar Lee Jones, son, Orlander Yaphet Jones, brother, Rev. Orlander H. Petit and granddaughter, Brianna Easaw. She leaves to cherish her memory, her loving husband, Melvin; one son, Melvin Lewis; daughter, Twanya Makiá; two grandchildren, Demaurie Juniel and Alexis Simone Easaw; her mother, Frenetta Powell of Preston, Oklahoma and her loving sister, Christina Jones and a host of family and friends.