Cheri Ann Parker

“The heavens declare the glory of God; the skies proclaim the work of His hands.” — Psalm 19:1

Some people live ordinary lives. Cheri Ann Parker never did.

Born on July 31, 1960, in Castro Valley, California, and passing peacefully on July 1, 2026, at 9:26 a.m. in Burnet County, Texas, Cheri lived a life that was unapologetically her own. She was a fun and crazy gypsy woman with the heart of a saint—a free spirit who loved fiercely, gave generously, and welcomed everyone she met without judgment.

To know Cheri was to know unconditional love. She had a heart of gold, an infectious laugh, and a rare gift for making people feel seen, accepted, and at home. She had a remarkable way of making people feel accepted exactly as they were. She carried the weight of the world on her shoulders, often putting the needs of others before her own, yet she never lost her compassion, her curiosity, or her sense of wonder. She never lived according to anyone else’s expectations. She walked her own path, followed her own convictions, and simply listened to the rhythm of her own heartbeat, having the courage to follow wherever it led.

A gypsy at heart, Cheri treasured her family’s heritage and embraced life with wonder. She dreamed of seeing the world, and even when life didn’t always allow her to travel as far as she wished, her imagination carried her to places beyond the horizon. She saw beauty where others saw ordinary things and inspired those around her to dream a little bigger.

Music was one of the great joys of Cheri’s life. It filled her home, lifted her spirit, and often expressed what words alone could not. Cheri was a Christian who believed deeply in God, and her faith was a guiding light throughout her life. She loved talking about her relationship with God and her spiritual journey, always encouraging others to seek hope, grace, love, and purpose.

She also found wonder in God’s creation. Whether she was gazing into the night sky, admiring the patterns of the stars, or marveling at the beauty and mystery woven throughout the world, Cheri saw reminders that life was filled with meaning, awe, and possibility. She never lost her childlike curiosity or her belief that there was still magic to be found if you simply took the time to look.

Whether through conversation, laughter, music, or quiet moments of reflection, she shared her faith with sincerity, compassion, and an open heart. Cheri believed that love was one of God’s greatest gifts, and she reflected that love by welcoming others without judgment, extending kindness freely, and reminding those around her that every person was worthy of compassion, dignity, and acceptance.

If there was one place Cheri’s love was always on full display, it was in her kitchen. Cooking was never simply about preparing a meal—it was how she cared for people. She especially loved preparing Italian food, and her homemade lasagna quickly became a family favorite. Among family and friends, her French toast achieved legendary status. Every meal she prepared carried the same unspoken message: You matter. You belong here. You are loved.

Above all else, Cheri loved her children with every part of her being. They were the greatest joy and purpose of her life. She gave of herself freely, offering encouragement, acceptance, wisdom, and unconditional love. Those gifts will continue to live on in the hearts of her family and in everyone blessed enough to have known her.

Cheri was preceded in death by her beloved mother, Romaine Amazine, along with her cherished grandparents, aunts, uncles, and many other loved ones who had gone before her. She now joins them on her next great adventure, reunited in love and at peace.

She is survived by her son, Paul Gonzales, and his wife, Carly Gonzales, and their children, Aiden and Mikayla; her daughter, Tiffany Sobey, and her husband, Mike Sobey, along with their daughters, Teagan and Brynley Tappe, and great-granddaughter Lilly; her daughter, Khristine Breanne Sharpe; and her son, Cole Witten Sharpe, along with many extended family members and dear friends whose lives were forever changed by her love.

One of the last conversations I shared with my mother is one I will treasure forever. I asked her what she hoped to become in her next life. She smiled but couldn’t quite find an answer. So I asked her a different question. “If you could be any bird, what kind would you be?” I guessed a hummingbird. She smiled. “No.” “A mockingbird?” Again, she smiled. “No.” “A flamingo?” She looked at me with that familiar sparkle in her eyes. “No.” Then I asked, “An ostrich?” With the sweetest smile and complete certainty, she answered, “Yes.” It was such a perfectly Cheri answer—unexpected, joyful, playful, and wonderfully her own. She never tried to fit into anyone else’s idea of who she should be. She simply listened to the rhythm of her own heartbeat and had the courage to follow wherever it led. Now, whenever I look toward the heavens, admire the patterns in the stars, hear a beautiful song, share a homemade meal with the people I love, or happen to see an ostrich, I’ll think of my mom and smile. Because that’s who Cheri was. She taught us that life isn’t about fitting in. It’s about loving deeply, believing wholeheartedly, finding wonder in God’s creation, and having the courage to be exactly who you were created to be. Perhaps that’s why an ostrich suited her so perfectly—beautiful, unmistakable, and wonderfully unique.

A Celebration of Life will be held on Saturday, August 1, 2026, at 11:00 a.m., the day after what would have been Cheri’s 66th birthday, at Clements-Wilcox Funeral Home in Burnet, Texas.

Cheri leaves behind a legacy of kindness, authenticity, laughter, music, faith, and unconditional love. She reminded us that life is meant to be lived with an open heart, that every person deserves compassion, and that home is often found around a table filled with good food, good conversation, and the people you love.

She taught us that faith is strengthened by love, that beauty can be found in the simplest moments, and that there is still magic to be discovered if we only take the time to look—whether in the stars above, in a shared meal around the table, in a song that stirs the soul, or in the quiet kindness we extend to one another. Though our hearts are broken by her passing, we find comfort in knowing her spirit is finally free—no longer burdened by pain, but at peace, forever moving to the rhythm of her own heartbeat.

Cheri will be deeply missed, forever loved, and never forgotten. The compassion, acceptance, strength, and generosity she gave so freely will continue to live on through her family and through every life she touched.