Naomi Cherry

Naomi Cherry passed away on February 21, 2014 after a long and joyful life.  She was 89 years of age and a beloved mother, grandmother and great-grandmother.  She leaves behind a devoted family and wonderful friends gathered over a lifetime. Born on December 1, 1924 in St. Louis, Missouri to parents Abe and Jenny (Pollock) Barg, she was the oldest of five siblings, loved to dance and was a graduate of Soldan High School. Known for her sharp skills as a businesswoman, she was experienced in managing retail sales and had a long career in public relations and advertising and later in life, as a successful real estate agent. Naomi worked as an employee of Worth’s clothing in St. Louis and Jeral’s Jewelry in Clayton, MO.  She then managed Newman’s department stores in Joplin, MO and Enid, OK.  She went on to help establish a series of discount retail outlets including GEM (Government Employees Mart) in St. Louis and Labor Discount locations in Collinsville, IL Minneapolis, MN and Reading, PA. In 1968, Naomi relocated to Las Vegas to work at retailer Wonder World (WOW) as Director of Marketing and Advertising.  Her duties included managing public relations and advertising for the four Las Vegas WOW locations and she was a well-known figure to local newspaper, TV and radio executives.  Naomi moved to Las Vegas to work alongside her dear friend WOW President Herb Kaufman, whom she originally met in St. Louis.  Her marketing savvy helped WOW maintain its success in Southern Nevada from the late 1960’s through the early 1980’s.  One memorable holiday promotion involved Santa Claus riding on a fire truck to WOW stores, tossing out specially marked ping-pong balls that would be redeemed for prizes.      Son Michael and late daughter-in-law Rachel (Wilson) Cherry followed her to Las Vegas in 1970.  She lived for many years with her brother-in-law Jerome Baum, late sister Geraldine and nephew Jay Baum in a home that became a gathering place for friends and well-known Las Vegas entertainers including Liberace, Lorne Greene and Totie Fields. After leaving WOW, Naomi became an agent in Las Vegas with Century 21 Consolidated Realty and was named Top Producer in November 1985. Naomi spent the last years of her life as a resident of Willow Creek at San Martin assisted living where she enjoyed making new friends and was known for her sharp wit, love of card games and outgoing personality. She was preceded in death by her parents, sisters Maurine Moss and Geraldine Baum, brother Nathan Barg and former husband Leroy Cherry. She is survived by sister Charlotte Cohen and brother-in-law Dr. Marvin Cohen of St. Louis, son, the Honorable Michael Cherry of Las Vegas, NV and son and daughter-in-law, Lawrence and Pam Cherry of St. Louis; grandchildren Meryl (Cherry) Thornton, David Cherry, Brett Cherry, Todd Cherry, Alec Cherry and Lauren Cherry; and great-grandchildren Liam and Hayden Thornton and Drew and Jace Cherry.   Naomi was active in the Las Vegas Jewish Community as was a member of both Temple Beth Sholom and Congregation Ner Tamid.  She was a life member of Hadassah and active in B’nai B’rith Women, ORT and other organizations.  Naomi was recognized for her charitable work on behalf of Easter Seals, American Cancer Society, March of Dimes, the Muscular Dystrophy Association and the Las Vegas chapter of Young Audiences, who honored her as Woman of the Year in 1979. The family requests that contributions be made in her honor to Congregation Ner Tamid, 55 North Valle Verde Drive, Henderson, NV 89074.