Name: Resthaven Funeral Home & Memorial Park
Address: Lubbock, TX

Dear Mr. Cheek. I'm so sorry to learn about your loss.  I know it must have been very difficult to say good-bye, but it is so sweet to know you will see her again. I'm sorry that I didn't know this site was available until Livy Fyock told me.  We miss you. Kathy Sea

Lubbock Avalanche-Journal
January 17, 2016

Jaunez Wills Cheek of Phoenix, Arizona passed away on Jan. 14, 2016 at her home after a lengthy illness. She was born in Abbott, Texas to Tom and Ina Wills on May 11, 1937. She graduated from Sudan High School in 1955, and was married to Donald Joe Cheek on June 9, 1956 in Lubbock, Texas. 

Jaunez retired from South Plains College in 2000 after working there for 18 years, lastly as the Administrative Assistant to the Dean of the Lubbock Campus. 

She was a member of Trinity Church in Lubbock. 

She is survived by her husband Donald; son Steven Cheek and wife Daveen of Houston, TX; son Randy Cheek and wife Kathy of Murphy, TX; daughter Karen Cheek of Phoenix, AZ; five grandchildren, Kelly Cheek, Brandon Cheek, Stephanie Cheek, Amy Cheek and Mary Cheek; two great-grandchildren; brother Ronnie Wills and wife Gloria of Lubbock, TX; sister Linda Knowlton and husband Douglas of Richland Hills, TX; and many nieces and nephews. 

Funeral service, to be officiated by Pastor David Savage of Trinity Church, will be held at Resthaven Funeral Home in Lubbock, TX at 1 p.m., Saturday, Jan. 23, 2016 with graveside service to follow.

People have talked about what a good person Mom was and I guess that was true - if you can judge by the responses I received when I reached out to several of her old bosses then she was a true gift to everyone.  They were heartbroken to hear of her passing and so kind with their words of praise for her - and these were from individuals that she knew 20 and 30 years ago.  I would like to think that I will be remembered as fondly as she but fear that will not be the case.  As much as she meant to others, she was just Mom to me - I never gave a moment's thought to whether she was a good person or not.  I suppose I did not have to, it was just understood when you were loved so unconditionally.  The past 3 years were hard on all of us, but I think they were the hardest on Mom as she slowly lost the last connection to us all - she had to rely on the kindness of strangers who happened to be her family.  I have many regrets from the last three years but I never regretted Mom and Dad coming to live with me - I only wish it could have been sooner.  I do not know how long it will take for the memories of that last week to fade, there is very little that I want to remember - maybe just the smile that came on Mom's face as she listened to Linda for the last time.  How jealous I felt that Linda got Mom's last smile - how I wished it had been for me instead (but at least it hadn't been for Randy, her favorite!).  I remember when the struggle was over and she had finally wound down and we realized that she was gone, I sat there and watched Randy weep and I felt so bad for him.  It almost seemed as though it had happened to him and not Steve and I.  It made me think about Dad losing his mother when he was such a young boy - I do not think that the 3 of us could have survived that and so we were lucky after all to have had Mom for as long as we did.  
One of my earliest memories of Mom is when I had my tonsils taken out.  I was about 4 or 5 and I swear the nurse in the recovery room told me that if I didn't stop crying I would never see my mother again - I am sure that memory is all twisted up, but I sure was happy when I got to finally see her.   When I was a few years older she told me how she had to cut her paper dolls out of catalogs when she was a little girl and then she and I cut some out of the Sears catalogue for me!  It was way more fun doing it that way.  My love of paper dolls definitely came from her.  I remember the time when I was in grade school and a school friend's mother offered to give me a ride home since it was raining,  I gladly accepted but found that the ride home was by way of several stops for errands that she had to make.  An hour or more later she dropped me off and I was greeted by my brothers with tales of how much trouble I was in.  Mom had gone out in search for me - as a child I was just worried about what was going to happen to me when she got home but as an adult I grieve that I frightened her so - I will never know how scared she must have been.  I don't remember getting in trouble so that speaks volumes about the type of mother she was.  One of the most remarkable things that Mom did was creating the schedules for the high school students at Capital.  I remember watching Mom spread out all those scheduling cards all over the kitchen table and work at it until she had every high school student schedule worked out for the next semester.  She did by hand what computer programs are used for today!  And she always made sure I got the schedule I wanted!  

Of course the best memories from my teens and early adult hood are the times we would make chocolate pies.  Nothing was as sweet as hearing her say let's make some chocolate pies (usually to send to Randy!).  We worked so hard to perfect the recipe, I know it took 10 to 15 years to get it to the point that there wasn't anything more we could do to,improve it.  I know she guarded the recipe closely since it was the product of many hours of mother and daughter bonding.  Some times I think that everyone thought that Ina had just handed it over to Mom in that final perfected version, but that was far from the truth! That recipe was original to Mom and me and I wish she hadn't given it away.  Just like she gave away her wedding dress - how I would love to have that piece of Mom and Ina!  I am grateful that there weren't more things that she gave away or lost.  Everything I have of her's and every memory is precious to me.  All those trips to Canton, especially to see the bunny lady and what new creations they had come out with since our last trip; trips to the cross stitch store and the hours we would spend there pouring over patterns and selecting our supplies.  I am glad we both enjoyed cross stitch so much.  It was nice to share that hobby and to be able to learn from her and she from me.  I was so blessed to have such a talented mother - she taught me how to sew, and cook and bake!  Too bad she didn't teach me how to clean like she did!  I have missed my mother every day for the last 10 years or so and I guess I always will.  I cannot wait to see her again - cannot come soon enough!

My first encounter with Jaunez was when Ronnie and I made a trip to Maryland.  Ronnie and I had not been married very long when we made that trip.  Jaunez was very gracious to a new member of the family.  She made me feel at home even though it was an inconvenience since they had three children and a very small home.  

During our visit Jaunez took Ronnie and me to see all the typical sights of Washington D. C.  We toured the White House, the Smithsonian Institute and George Washington's home.  It was a wonderful treat for us.

The Cheeks made some trips to Lubbock before they moved back to Lubbock.  During one of those trips Jaunez had a long talk with Ronnie and me.  She shared the Lord with us.  I had gone to church with a neighbor for years, but no one had led me to accept Christ as my savior.  Jaunez did that for me.  Needless to say Jaunez will always have a special place in my mind and in my heart.  I look forward to meeting her again in heaven as we sing around the Throne.

Randy's words at Mom's funeral 01/23/2016:

Many here will remember Mom and Dad's 50th wedding anniversary.  That was 9 1/2 years ago.  That was just about the time that her illness began to impact her daily life.  It progressed to the point where 3 years ago Mom and Dad moved to Phoenix to live with Karen.  It has been a long and challenging journey.  Thank you to all who have provided support during these last years, especially to Uncle Ronnie and Aunt Gloria during those middle years before they moved to Phoenix.  And thank you to Karen who is a real life super hero.  

But even as Mom disappeared under the Alzheimer's effects, we knew she was still there in the end - you could see it in how she responded to a certain dog's barking, but most especially how she responded to a loved one's voice.

Now we are about to commit Mom's body to the grave, but we know that the grave will have no victory over her through the power of her Savior Jesus Christ.  And although death's sting is sharp now, I know it is just for a season until Jesus gathers his own and Mom's circle will be complete again.  What a wonderful day that will be. 

What can I say about Mom?  Just that she was the greatest mother in the history of forever.  I think I would go so far as to say the greatest lady of all time.  She was most certainly a very unique lady - the complete woman.  Why do I say that ?

She was entirely selfless - not just the mother kind of selfless, not just "do things for you" selfless, but her selflessness extended to submitting her aspirations to the good of the family.  No doubt moving to Maryland away from family and all life as she knew it , no doubt it was difficult.  But Mom did not respond to that with bitterness, instead she launched herself and family into a new life in which she thrived.

Mom was incredibly industrious.  She was always doing things to make our home more comfortable, to ease our daily lives, to bring joy to each of her kids and grandkids.  I can still see her surrounded by balls of yarn, dress patterns, spools of thread and hear the sound of her sewing machine as it wiped out our tv reception.  I can still hear the blessed sound of her tenderizing the meat for Saturday morning breakfast of chicken fried steak, biscuits and gravy.  And can still see her waxing the old hardwood floors in Maryland and then every so often stripping off the old wax with a razor blade and then starting the whole sequence over again.  That was hard work and it always amazed me.  It must have amazed her too, because we eventually got carpet! But even though she stayed busy, she was never unapproachable.  Family was always first.

She was amazingly handy at all she did - no need to mention the incredible cooking, the sewing and crafts, the blue ribbons, the Betty Crocker award in high school.  Yes, all of this but her professional life really showed her talents to the fullest.  She must have been naturally brilliant, because her chaotic schooling was surely of minimal value.  Despite that, she excelled in secretarial and office administration at our school in Maryland and at South Plains.  For about 10 years she basically ran the school in Maryland.  The pastor's letter of reference said she performed the job of a vice-principal.  This to a school of about 800 students!  At South Plains she advanced from the basement to working for the dean of the Lubbock campus.

Yes, her many talents were obvious to all but for me nothing was more endearing than to just hear her laugh.  Silliness was my forte and she seemed to enjoy it, so I kept feeding it to her.  Anything to get a laugh from her.  I think I have missed that laugh more than anything the last few years. 
 
As I said, Mom was a uniquely great lady and mother.  I had a real life laboratory while in college that confirmed that to me.  Mom would regularly send food packages to me stuffed with hoards of food.  But she meant it not just for me, it was also for my 4 roommates.  Each package would feed us a couple of weeks.  No other roommates' mother did that.  And then our last year we were in a room with a large window - maybe 4x7 feet.  Being guys, we hung up a sheet or blanket and never had another thought about it.  It wasn't long though before a box with a made to order, heavy duty, guy-proof curtain showed up.  It is probably still there today. Mom doing that was as natural for her as breathing is for you and me.  None of my other roommates' mothers probably even saw the window.

Mom was the greatest of mothers.  She poured herself out in love and service to Dad, Steve, Karen and I.  And no doubt to many of you too.  What a blessing she was.  I thank God for her.

Let me close with some words that are far more eloquent than I could ever come up with.  I believe Mom may have been the inspiration for this tribute:
Proverbs 31
Who can find a virtuous woman?  For her prices is above rubies. The heart of her husband doth safely trust in her, so that he shall have no need of spoil. She will do him good and not evil all the days of her life. She seeketh wool, and flax, and worketh willingly with her hands. She is like the merchants' ships:  she bringeth her food from afar.  She riseth also while it is yet night, and giveth meat to her household, and a portion to her maidens.  She considereth a field, and buyeth it: with the fruit of her hands she planteth a vineyard.  She girdeth her loins with strength, and strengtheneth her arms.  She perceiveth that her merchandise is good:  her candle goeth not out by night.  She layeth her hands to the spindle, and her hands hold the distaff. She stretcheth out her hand to the poor; yea, she reacheth forth her hands to the needy.  She is not afraid of the snow for her household:  for all her household are clothed with scarlet.  She maketh herself coverings of tapestry; her clothing is silk and purple.  Her husband is known in the gates, when he sitteth among the elders of the land.  She maketh fine linen and selleth; and delivereth girdles unto the merchant.  Strength and honour are her clothing; and she shall rejoice in time to come.  She opens her mouth with wisdom; and in her tongue is the law of kindness.  She looketh well to the ways of her household, and eateth not the bread of idleness.  Her children rise up and call her blessed; her husband also, and he praises her.  Favour is deceitful, and beauty is vain; but a woman that feareth the Lord, she shall be praised.  Give her of the fruit of her hands and let her own works praise her in the gates.  Many daughters have done virtuously, but thou excellest them all.

People have talked about what a good person Mom was and I guess that was true - if you can judge by the responses I received when I reached out to several of her old bosses then she was a true gift to everyone. They were heartbroken to hear of her passing and so kind with their words of praise for her - and these were from individuals that she knew 20 and 30 years ago. I would like to think that I will be remembered as fondly as she but fear that will not be the case. As much as she meant to others, she was just Mom to me - I never gave a moment's thought to whether she was a good person or not. I suppose I did not have to, it was just understood when you were loved so unconditionally. The past 3 years were hard on all of us, but I think they were the hardest on Mom as she slowly lost the last connection to us all - she had to rely on the kindness of strangers who happened to be her family. I have many regrets from the last three years but I never regretted Mom and Dad coming to live with me - I only wish it could have been sooner. I do not know how long it will take for the memories of that last week to fade, there is very little that I want to remember - maybe just the smile that came on Mom's face as she listened to Linda for the last time. How jealous I felt that Linda got Mom's last smile - how I wished it had been for me instead (but at least it hadn't been for Randy, her favorite!). I remember when the struggle was over and she had finally wound down and we realized that she was gone, I sat there and watched Randy weep and I felt so bad for him. It almost seemed as though it had happened to him and not Steve and I. It made me think about Dad losing his mother when he was such a young boy - I do not think that the 3 of us could have survived that and so we were lucky after all to have had Mom for as long as we did.

One of my earliest memories of Mom is when I had my tonsils taken out. I was about 4 or 5 and I swear the nurse in the recovery room told me that if I didn't stop crying I would never see my mother again - I am sure that memory is all twisted up, but I sure was happy when I got to finally see her. When I was a few years older she told me how she had to cut her paper dolls out of catalogs when she was a little girl and then she and I cut some out of the Sears catalogue for me! It was way more fun doing it that way. My love of paper dolls definitely came from her. I remember the time when I was in grade school and a school friend's mother offered to give me a ride home since it was raining, I gladly accepted but found that the ride home was by way of several stops for errands that she had to make. An hour or more later she dropped me off and I was greeted by my brothers with tales of how much trouble I was in. Mom had gone out in search for me - as a child I was just worried about what was going to happen to me when she got home but as an adult I grieve that I frightened her so - I will never know how scared she must have been. I don't remember getting in trouble so that speaks volumes about the type of mother she was. One of the most remarkable things that Mom did was creating the schedules for the high school students at Capital. I remember watching Mom spread out all those scheduling cards all over the kitchen table and work at it until she had every high school student schedule worked out for the next semester. She did by hand what computer programs are used for today! And she always made sure I got the schedule I wanted! 

Of course the best memories from my teens and early adult hood are the times we would make chocolate pies. Nothing was as sweet as hearing her say let's make some chocolate pies (usually to send to Randy!). We worked so hard to perfect the recipe, I know it took 10 to 15 years to get it to the point that there wasn't anything more we could do to,improve it. I know she guarded the recipe closely since it was the product of many hours of mother and daughter bonding. Some times I think that everyone thought that Ina had just handed it over to Mom in that final perfected version, but that was far from the truth! That recipe was original to Mom and me and I wish she hadn't given it away. Just like she gave away her wedding dress - how I would love to have that piece of Mom and Ina! I am grateful that there weren't more things that she gave away or lost. Everything I have of hers and every memory is precious to me. All those trips to Canton, especially to see the bunny lady and what new creations they had come out with since our last trip; trips to the cross stitch store and the hours we would spend there pouring over patterns and selecting our supplies. I am glad we both enjoyed cross stitch so much. It was nice to share that hobby and to be able to learn from her and she from me. I was so blessed to have such a talented mother - she taught me how to sew, and cook and bake! Too bad she didn't teach me how to clean like she did! I have missed my mother every day for the last 10 years or so and I guess I always will. I cannot wait to see her again - cannot come soon enough!

MY Memories:

Jaunez and the memories she left me in no specific order:

She was always with us even when she was away in Yankee land. She loved her Texas and when the time came was ready to come home.
Donald got the job with Trinity and soon after their arrival she started working at South Plains College, where she excelled for many years before retiring . It was after her retirement that  Gloria and I would
have she and Donald over once or twice a week to eat and have fun, even then she was very witty, we continued this until she left for Karen's.

Oh lets go further back, like my thoughts of Jaunez and family in 1947's move from the Dallas to Lubbock.
Our first house in Lubbock was a Chicken Coop. From there it was a 2 story house on Ave. H . There Jaunez, Linda and I had lots of fun. Memory for me was her helping me get better as I had all those childhood diseases one after the other. Next stop Shallowater, Texas where we rode the bus to school, and this older boy was beating up on me, and who came to my rescue, Yep and she beat up on this kid while
the bus driver was looking in the mirror and laughing. THAT'S WHERE   "JAUREZ IS ON THE WARPATH " CAME FROM.
Next stop Spade, Texas and our famous "they moved off and left us while we were in school" came in. Sure enough there she was again looking after and taking care of Linda and I,  we always joked that the only reason they came back for us was cotton 
chopping time was near and they needed us.
The next school was Jaunez's favorite, there she made many friends and had a birth-day party which they all attended at our house, even though it was raining so much that the ditch in front of the house was running over. The biggest thing for her was graduation and the senior trip to Galveston. While there she sent her favorite brother a card  which he still has. The school Sudan High in Sudan, Texas. Go Hornets.

Then tragedy struck, she met Donald and they got married. I think Linda and I felt lost, but not so -  they moved to Lubbock and we were able to see her often. The good thing that came from this union was Steve, Randy and Karen. She was very proud of her kids and grandkids, she loved all our kids as well.

One thing that I still remember was the smell each Saturday morning as Mother, Jaunez and Linda washed their hair and their bodies. That's a smell I'll never forget. Not as good as THE RECIPE not even close.
Last I promise, she was always bringing up the FACT that she was the only one of us kids that had only one name. YOU KNOW WHAT, IT IS A NAME RESERVED FOR OUR SISTER THE ONE
AND ONLY JAUNEZ  !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Jaunez love you!!!!!

Karen I know that she was your mother and it came natural but, thanks from all of us for all you did for her. Love Ronnie and Gloria.






​

Memories of Jaunez Cheek

My first encounter with Jaunez was when Ronnie and I made a trip
to Maryland. Ronnie and I had not been married very long when we
made that trip. Jaunez was very gracious to a new member of the
family. She made me feel at home even though it was an inconvenience
since they had three children and a very small home.

During our visit Jaunez took Ronnie and me to see all the typical
sights of Washington D C. We toured the White House, the
Smithsonian institute, and George Washington's home. It was a wonderful treat for us.

The Cheeks made some trips to Lubbock before they moved back to
Lubbock. During one of those trips Jaunez had a long talk with
Ronnie and me. She shared the Lord with us. I had gone to church
with a neighbor for years , but no one led me to accept Christ as my
savior. Jaunez did that for me. Needless to say, Jaunez will always
have a special place in my mind and in my heart. I look forward to
meeting her again in heaven as we sing around the Throne.

February 24, 2016

Remembering a Sister

Over the years Jaunez and I have shared countless recipes.  So many that we could have written a cookbook.  I just pulled an email that she sent to me with a new pie crust recipe that she was excited for me to try.  At the bottom of the email was a request asking for any new cake or casserole recipe that she might make for the family reunion.  Her words were "I'm bored with the things I usually take and I'm getting out of the habit of cooking."  She loved to share recipes with others.  But the one recipe that she would never ever share was the family recipe for chocolate pies.  She and Karen would not even share it with other family members.  So if you are lucky enough to have a copy of this family recipe, guard it well.

One year Jaunez was in charge of a party at South Plains College.  The theme was western and for the table decorations she had planned to spray paint tumble weeds and then string them with Christmas lights.  The problem with this plan is that you can't buy tumble weeds, you have to go to the country and pick them up.  So we decided that she would go to Muleshoe with Doug and I and that on the way back to Lubbock we would pick up the tumble weeds.   Well as luck would have it the wind was blowing.  Let me tell you that when the wind is blowing a tumble weed can tumble faster than a jack rabbit can run.  But not to be discouraged and being a couple of Wills girls, a little wind would not stop us.  So we chased tumble weeds all over the poor farmer's field until we had all that she needed.  I heard that was the best party ever!

My sister had a passion for paper dolls.  I did too but mine probably didn't last past the age of 10 or 12.  With Jaunez it lasted into adulthood, marriage and even motherhood.  The favorite day of the week was Saturday.  This was the day the family would dress up and drive into town.  There we would sometimes be treated to a movie or hamburgers and malts at the soda fountain in the local drug store.  But it always included shopping at the five and dime store.  For the girls it was off to look at the latest paper doll books.  This would take a while.  You see in order to select just the right one, you had to look through all of the books.  This process included finding the one that featured the prettiest clothes and your favorite movie star.  The last page always had to have a bridal party.

As a young girl, Jaunez like to visit at Uncle Sam and Aunt Opal's house.  This was in part because our cousin Maureen always had the best paper doll collection.  Maureen kept her paper dolls in the bottom storage drawer of the cook stove (probably not the best place to keep paper).  Regardless, Jaunez was delighted to be invited to visit and play with Maureen and her paper dolls. 

As an adult Jaunez would buy the monthly McCall's magazine because they featured the Betsy McCall paper doll and clothes.  She would cut them out, not sure what she did with them but perhaps she secretly played with them.

As a mother she passed her passion for paper dolls to her young daughter Karen.  Karen shared with me recently that the paper dolls were left in the attic of their home in Washington.  Maybe, they were found by another little girl who treasured them as much as my sister did.

To have had Jaunez for a sister was one of the greatest blessings in my life.  I give thanks to the Lord for the time we had together.  We shared lots of happy times and our share of tears but we always had each other to lean on.  I will always cherish the memories.  

This poem touched my heart and so I want to share it with you:

I'm sending a dove to Heaven
With a Parcel on its wings
Be careful when you open it
It's full of beautiful things
Inside are a million kisses
Wrapped up in a million hugs
To say how much I miss you
And to send you all my love
I hold you close within my heart
And there you will remain
To walk with me throughout my life
Until we meet again.

Here's a kiss Nez - - hope you catch it!

January 23, 2016

Karen I'm so sorry for your loss. I know the last few years have been hard, and there isn't anything i can say that will make you and your family feel better. I hope the is some solace in knowing that your mother is at peace. Be strong and we are here for you.

Mr. Cheek, every memory I have of Mrs. Cheek is one of her smiling or being kind to us and all your students.  We have so many fond memories of you and we send you all our love.  We're very sorry for your loss and will keep you in our prayers.

" So Sorry for your loss. Please remember that the GOD of all comfort is always  with you PSALMS 29:11

So sorry to hear of your loss, Mr. Cheek. Jaunez was an example of a gracious and lovely lady. I never saw her without a sweet smile on her face.

I am so sorry for your loss.You are in my prayers.

My condolences to the family, so sorry for your loss. Please look into Gods word at ohn 5:28,29 for comfort.

OBITUARY

Jaunez Wills Cheek

May 11, 1937 – January 14, 2016

Resthaven Funeral Home & Resthaven Memorial Park

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