Born November 27, 1950, in Delaware, OH, Cheri was the beloved youngest child of Dr. Carroll and Joan Hall Biggs. She and her three siblings spent their early years in Ohio, living at various times in Woodville, Chatfield, and Westerville. In 1961, they relocated to New York City for a year while their father completed his doctorate, an experience that Cheri recalled with great fondness. The Biggs family moved to Wilmington, DE in 1964, where Cheri made lifelong friends and excelled as a student leader, majorette, and role model to many. She graduated from Brandywine High School in 1968.
Cheri continued her education at Madison College (James Madison University), earning a degree in early elementary education, a career she decided to pursue in childhood. During her years at Madison, she met and began dating Victor John Smith, II. They married on July 31, 1971. Vic was the love of her life and her very best friend. Their daughter and only child, Jennifer (Jenna), was born in 1975. Jenna’s marriage to John Michael Dull in 2020 brought tremendous joy to Cheri, including her new role as mother-in-law to John and grandmother by marriage to John’s daughter, Sara, whom she adored.
Her 30-year career as a second-grade teacher began in 1972 at Pleasant Valley Elementary School. Cheri put her teaching career on pause to be a full-time mother, then returned to the classroom in 1981, spending the next 26 years nurturing young minds and hearts as a second-grade teacher at Waterman Elementary in Harrisonburg. Teaching was her calling, her passion, and her joy. Year after year, Mrs. Smith’s classroom was an uplifting place of encouragement, patience, and deep belief in each student’s talent and ability. She had a gift for making students feel known and loved, and her hugs, given at least twice daily, were legendary. The profound impact she made was confirmed over and over as she ran into former students and their parents in later years, who thanked her for her love and guidance, and sometimes shared that they had followed her into education.
Cheri was predeceased by her parents, grandparents, a sister, Julia Biggs, brother-in-law, Theodore Bolton, and her treasured in-laws, Victor and Audrey Smith.
Her husband of 53 years, Vic, survives her, as well as her only child, Jennifer (Jenna) Smith Dull, son-in-law John Dull of Staunton and beloved granddaughter by marriage, Sara-Rhiannon Dull. She is also survived by a sister, Marcia Biggs Elliott (Chip) of State College, PA; a brother, Mike Biggs (Susie) of Sun City West, AZ, and brother-in-law David Smith (Debbie Lacey) of Harrisonburg, along with seven nieces and nephews and their families: Tracey Bolton Belfiore (Dave) of Landenberg, PA and children Nicholas, Daniella, and Nathaniel; Whitney Bolton Arthur (Tom) of West Grove, PA and children Owen and Evan; Mark Elliott (Emily) of Tuscaloosa, AL and children Gracie, Jacob, Caroline, Jack, and Micah; Michael Elliott of State College, PA; Jonathan Elliott (Betsy) of Fort Collins, CO and children Kylie, Wyatt, and Noah; Jill Biggs Tumminello (Dan) of Phoenix, AZ and son Cale; and Christy Elliott Keiper (Jon) of St. Mary’s, PA and children Avelyn, Caleb, Judah, and Ellia, along with numerous other family members, all of whom she loved.
Cheri’s life was marked by optimism, sincerity, warmth, compassion, faith, and service to others. She was a leader from an early age, and her strong, capable leadership guided everything from her high school student council to her college sorority, Sigma Kappa, and many organizations beyond that. She served as president and long-time member of the Harrisonburg Junior Woman’s Club, investing her time and energy into making our community a better place. She was honored in her twenties as an Outstanding Young Woman of the Year. Cheri volunteered in the soup kitchen and hospitality ministry and taught Vacation Bible School at First Presbyterian Church and never missed an opportunity to show comfort and concern to others. After moving to the Lakewood neighborhood in 1989, Cheri joined the LHA Board, serving as its President and dedicated Neighborhood Watch captain, and more recently organizing monthly lunch gatherings. Her many friends benefited from her loyalty, wise counsel, and steadfast support.
Nothing made her happier than spending time with other people, especially her family. A proud JMU alumna, she loved cheering on the Dukes at football and basketball games, attending concerts at the Forbes Center, traveling around the world with family and friends, walks and meals at Skyline Drive, dancing, playing in several bridge groups, and supporting Sara at her many activities. Cheri loved nature in all forms, especially birds and animals. A supportive and loyal daughter and daughter-in-law, caring sister and sister-in-law, loving and dedicated wife, phenomenal mother, wonderful mother-in-law and adoring grandmother, Cheri’s family was everything to her. Her absence leaves a huge void in our lives, and we were so blessed to love and be loved by her.
Visitation will be held on Friday, July 25, 2025, from 6:00-8:00 p.m. at Lindsey Funeral Home, 473 South Main Street in Harrisonburg. Cremation burial will be private.
A celebration of life will be held at 1:00 p.m. on Saturday, July 26, 2025 at First Presbyterian Church, 17 North Court Square in Harrisonburg, led by The Rev. Dr. Jon Heeringa. The family will receive friends on Saturday at the church beginning at 11:30 a.m. until service time.
Memorial contributions may be made to the Blue Ridge Area Food Bank, P.O. Box 937, Verona, VA 24482-0937, or the charity of one’s choice.
Online condolences may be sent to the family at www.lindseyfuneralhomes.com
