Cherrie Beaver James

Cherrie was born September 2, 1948 in Melbourne, Florida; to late Evangeline Johnson Beaver and Leroy Beaver. As a youth she lived between Melbourne and Miami. Cherrie also had a strong bond with her Godfather Lauren Jones, who greatly influenced her life.

She joined Macedonia Baptist church at age 10. Even at a young age, Cherrie’s love for church was very clear. She actively participated in services, including Sunday school and singing in the youth choir. Cherrie later went on to become a member of the Ruth Chapter 79 Order of Eastern Stars, Amelia Court 51 of the Heroines of Jericho and the Reginald E. Johnson Memorial Scholarship Foundation.

Cherrie graduated from Stone High School where she was a proud member of the band. She attended Brevard Community College in pursuit of a degree in Higher Education. Cherrie held many job titles and positions that allowed her to be in a position to help people; including being the Admissions Director at Phillips College in Melbourne, FL. Cherrie’s big heart and kind gestures extended far beyond her work. She often opened her home to people in need and never expected anything in return. She was never the type of person to turn someone away; this by far is her biggest legacy. Taking the extra step to make someone else smile is what she lived for.

One of Cherrie’s favorite past times was spending time with old friends and visiting the city of New Orleans. Although Cherrie had many hobbies, she enjoyed gardening, sewing, and making flower arrangements. She was very skilled and often described as a talented upholsterer. Cherrie was a very smart woman who could hold a conversation about sensitive topics like civil rights and politics. She passed her wealth of knowledge down to her children and conversations surrounding these topics often brought unity, laughter, harmony, and joy, which kept them together.

What Cherrie passed down to her grandchildren was her love for animals; dogs in particular. She taught them how to love and care for dogs. They tried to bring home any dogs they found; even those that had owners.

She leaves to cherish her memories: 4 children: Travis (Felicia), Torrence, Tralanda, and Timothy (Theresa); Jerry Snead a loving companion and daddy to all; (6) grandchildren: Takiah, Twanise, Denesha (Nicholas), TaQuarri, Torryanna, Deja, and Delilah; (1) great grandchild: Izzibella; her cousins: Eugene C. Johnson (Ionia), Regina (Charles) and their children Reginald and Celine, Joanne (Raney) Holmes, Gerald Richardson; and many close family friends.

Calling hours are 5:00PM-7:00PM Friday, February 3, 2017 at Macedonia Missionary Baptist Church, 2729 Lipscomb Street, Melbourne, Florida 32901. Services will be 2:00PM Saturday, February 4, 2017 at Macedonia Missionary Baptist Church. Interment will follow at Grant Street Community Cemetery, Melbourne, Florida.