Delois Cheney

DeLois made her entrance on a stormy July 4, 1928 to James Grubb and Mary Belle (Grundy) Beckwith in Indianapolis, Indiana. DeLois and her siblings were educated in the Indianapolis Public School system and at St. Rita’s Catholic School. As a teenager DeLois became very ill and spent 2 years as a home schooled student living in a group home for children. Later in life DeLois received her general education diploma. DeLois also attended classes at IUPUI in Indianapolis. While working at LaRue D. Carter Memorial Hospital in Indianapolis, DeLois enrolled in the Advanced Psychiatric Attendants program and graduated 2nd in her class on July 15, 1960. DeLois continued to work in the Psychiatric field at LaRue Carter and General Hospital until February 1997 when she retired. (later known as Wishard Hospital, now Eskenazi) After 6 months DeLois decided she was bored and began to volunteer with the S.H.I.P. program at Wishard Hospital. She volunteered for 8 years before finally retiring for good. Religion played a very important role in her family life, as a child she attended St. Paul A.M.E. Church with her dad and siblings and Mt. Carmel Baptist Church with her mother. DeLois was blessed with a beautiful voice and would sing in the church choir at True Vine Missionary Baptist Church. DeLois sang and recorded with the Professor C.H. Elam Celespirational Ensemble. Later in life DeLois would join the Mt. Olive Missionary Baptist Church, under the leadership of the late Rev. D. Wayne T. Harris Sr. DeLois slept away peacefully on January 13, 2022 at her home in Indianapolis, Indiana. In addition to joining her parents she will be with her brothers: Richard Swanigan, James Jr., Clinton, Frank Eugene, Kenneth, Robert, and Richard Beckwith. Sisters: Gladys Goodman, Mary Beadles, and Doris Jean Hubbard. DeLois is survived by sons Ronald Johnson, Charles (Donna) Johnson of Durham North Carolina. Michael Cheney and her daughter Michele Cheney. Blessed with a growing family, DeLois has three granddaughters, Reverend Tracy (Fitzroy) Johnson Russell of Bethany, CT., Tashia D. Johnson and Chakka (Franklin) Gathers of Dallas Texas. She is beloved by 8 great grandchildren, and their children. In addition, she has left behind her loving step-sisters Helen Gaither and Elinor Franklin and her sister in law and friend Doris Beckwith all of Indianapolis Indiana. She had a loving relationship with her many nieces, nephews, and cousins. Importantly she will be missed by Kehinde (Philip) who for 3 years has been her steadfast aide who she called her “Man”. Theodora and the girls (Taryn, Jaidyn, and Jordyn) many friends and her Pastor Rev. Dr. Carl Liggins and his wife Sis. Sheryl Liggins and the Mt. Olive Missionary Baptist Church family.