Elizabeth Arlouine Davis Cherry

CHERRY, ELIZABETH ARLOUINE DAVIS (1929 ~ 2012). The following is an obituary for Elizabeth "Liz" Cherry, spouse of former Texas House Member Dick Cherry. The obituary was provided by Glenn-Kildoo Funeral Home of Cranberry Township, Pennsylvania.

Arlouine Davis Cherry

Elizabeth Arlouine Davis Cherry died Dec. 12 of untreatable pulmonary fibrosis and drug resistant pneumonia at Good Samaritan Hospice in Wexford. She was a devoted wife for 63 years, a nurturing mother for 59, and an exemplary grandmother for 24.

She was born in Greenville, Ohio, where her father, Chester Monroe Davis, was pastor of the Christian and Missionary Alliance Church. Four years later, the family moved to Columbus, Ind., where "Liz" grew up, and where her father worked as a machinist and was active as a union organizer. Her mother, Dortha Arlouine Gelfius, was a musician, a secretary and a teacher.

Upon graduation from Columbus High School, Liz attended Franklin College on a private scholarship to study sacred music. Her professional career as a church organist began at age 14 at the First Baptist Church in Columbus and continued throughout her life in Chicago, Waco, Texas, and the Washington, D.C., area.

Elizabeth was equally gifted as a writer, editor, photographer, playwright and dramatist. As a writer, she was first employed by Arvin Industries in Columbus to work on their company newspaper.

In 1949, she married Dicken Cherry, who taught elementary school near Columbus the first year of their marriage. In 1950, Liz and "Dick" moved to Chicago, where Dick pursued two graduate degrees at the University of Chicago. Liz was excited to work in the office of press relations at the university, which was responsible for press releases announcing news such as scientific breakthroughs by Nobel Prize faculty members such as Enrico Fermi, Harold Urey and Linus Pauling, and archeological discoveries in Israel and Egypt by the Oriental Institute. During five years in Chicago, Liz also served as church organist at Parkside Baptist and Palmer Square Presbyterian.

Their next home was Waco, Texas, where Liz became editor of "Generally Speaking," the bimonthly employee newspaper of the General Tire plant in Waco. In addition to writing, she did all the photography and layout work on the paper. Next, Liz joined the staff of KWTX radio and TV as continuity writer. Management soon discovered her beautiful speaking voice, which they then featured in many commercials and voice-overs. While in Waco, Liz also served as organist at Herring Avenue Methodist Church.

The family moved to the Maryland suburbs of Washington, D.C., in 1965, where Liz became church secretary and organist at the Our Saviour's Lutheran Church in Temple Hills. Attracted by the joyous musical heritage of J.S. Bach, liturgical worship and the Lutheran doctrine of justification by grace through faith, Liz and Dick became Lutherans and have reared their three children as such. Her many years of deep involvement in parish life at Our Saviour's included using creative dramatics in the confirmation classes she taught with Dick, serving as youth group sponsor, directing youth musicals, visiting nursing homes, performing in chancel dramas and chaperoning teenagers to a National Lutheran Youth gathering in New Orleans. Of course, Liz also served as editor of the parish newsletter, The Etcetera!

In anticipation of the expense of two children in college, Liz began a new career as a legal secretary and office administrator for a succession of environmental organizations. At the Environmental Defense Fund, she was a member of the team that successfully fought to have the carcinogenic mineral asbestos removed from hair dryers. At the National Audubon Society, she helped to establish the television department that produced The World of Audubon, a series of hourlong documentaries about environmental issues. Until her retirement in 1993, she continued to work with William A. Butler, one of the pioneers in the field of environmental law.

Retirement brought a final move to Cranberry Township and the abiding joy of being "Grammy" to granddaughters Julia Nicole, Amanda Michelle and Laura Christine Ferguson. Liz remained active in the Perry Highway Lutheran Church in Wexford throughout her final years, serving on committees, launching blanket drives and participating in other activities. Family celebrations were highlights of the Cranberry years, including gala 50th and 60th wedding anniversary dinners.

She is survived by her husband, Dick; her son, Mark; her daughter-in-law, Beverly; her son, Chris; her son-in-law, Steve; her daughter, Lisa; her son-in-law, Dennis; and her granddaughters Julia, Amanda and Laura. 

CHERRY - Elizabeth Arlouine Davis Cherry died Wednesday, Dec. 12. A memorial service celebrating her life will be held at 2 p.m. on Dec. 29 at the Perry Highway Lutheran Church, 11403 Perry Highway, Wexford. Immediately following the service a light tea will be served in the social hall at which the family will have hugs for all.

The family suggests memorial gifts be directed to one of the following: Pulmonary Fibrosis Foundation, 230 E. Ohio St., Suite 304, Chicago, IL 60611 (www.pulmonaryfibrosis.org) or Environmental Defense Fund. 1875 Connecticut Ave., NW, Washington, D.C. 20009 (www.edf.org). - See more at: http://www.legacy.com/obituaries/butlereagle/obituary.aspx?n=elizabeth-davis-cherry&pid=161889615#sthash.IDL67jS3.dpuf