Cheryl Kay Lafave-Cordova

Cheryl Kay Lafave-Cordova, cherished and devoted, passed away peacefully on July 31, 2025, at the age of 77, surrounded by her loved ones. Born on November 11, 1947, in Winslow, Arizona, Cheryl was a gentle and kind-hearted soul who touched the lives of many.

Cheryl graduated from the University of New Mexico in Gallup with an Associate's degree in counseling and behavioral health. Her career was diverse and impactful, having worked as a beautician and a representative with a telephone company. Together with her husband, Cheryl ran a distribution business for Tom's potato chips, and she concluded her professional journey with Catholic Charities of Gallup.

In 1982, Cheryl married Frank Rudy Cordova Sr. at the Little White Wedding Chapel in Las Vegas. She is preceded in death by her husband Frank Rudy Cordova Sr., son Edison Duke Bowman III, mother Jessie Kay LaFave, father Franklin Wayne LaFave Sr., brother Franklin Wayne LaFave Jr., and granddaughter Brianna Brooke Cordova. Cheryl is survived by her daughter Rhonda Kay Bowman, son Frankie R. Cordova Jr., stepdaughters Christina Maria Cordova and Jennifer Michelle Cordova-Schultz, grandchildren Chantille Monique Cordova, Aideen Schultz, Sierra Schultz, Alexis Fonseca, Mya Yazzie, and great-grandchildren Shianne Gallegos and Wade Williams. She is also survived by her sister Anne LaFave-Garcia.

Her personal interests included family, scrapbooking, arts and crafts, genealogy, and Mexican food. Cheryl was an active member of the Cherokee Tribe and the Walla Walla Tribe, and she was known for being sweet, kind, and poised.

The family extends their gratitude for all the support received. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the GoFundMe https://gofund.me/fa80468a page established in her honor.