Evelyn Cherie Staples, of Norman, passed from this life on January 8, 2021. Cherie was born on June 16, 1935 in San Rafael, California and grew up in her beloved Carmel Valley, California. She was raised by her mother Evelyn and father Armand as an only child. Growing up near Big Sur, she would often go trout fishing with her grandparents and help in their impressive vegetable and flower garden. Cherie organized her Carmel High School class of 1953 directory and faithfully attended all class reunions for over 50 years until she was unable to travel.
She met her husband of 62 years, Bob, while he was attending training for the Marine Corps in nearby Monterey. They were married in 1959 and began a life of 27 years as a Marine Corps family. They traveled the United States from post to post living in Oklahoma, Kansas, California, Virginia and Hawaii. Cherie raised five children and guided them to nine college degrees and helped with the nurturing of her five grandchildren. She was a “single mother” of five in the 1960’s as Bob did two, one-year tours during the Vietnam War. After retirement from the military Bob and Cherie lived in California and Saudi Arabia. Cherie settled with Bob in Norman in 1990 where she was active in the community as a member of the Norman Newcomers Club. She was a devout Bridge and Mah Jong afficianado and a member of McFarlin Methodist Church for thirty years.
Cherie was a University of Oklahoma football, softball and women’s basketball season ticket holder over all of these years and rarely missed a game day. She is survived by children Debbie (Kevin) Kelleher of Norman, DeeAnn (Stan) Marshall of Ardmore, Donna (Jeff) Hale of Oklahoma City, and Robert (Ida) Staples of Newport Beach, CA, her grandchildren Shane (Lexy) Kelleher, Braden (Madison) Kelleher, Eli Hale, Emma Hale and Bodie Staples. Cherie was preceded in death by her husband Bob and youngest son John.
A memorial service will be held in the spring when her family and friends can travel.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to McFarlin Memorial United Methodist Church youth missions and youth music ministries.
SHARE OBITUARY
v.1.8.18