Cheryl Ray

Cheryl Ann Ray was born April 10, 1956 to the late Benjamin and Juanita Robinson in Philadelphia, PA. She departed this life suddenly on January 7, 2019 at Temple University Hospital after an abrupt illness.

Cheryl was raised in a Christian home and joined Thankful Baptist Church at a very young age. She answered a call to reaffirm her faith in the Spring of 2018 and joined the North Philadelphia Seventh-Day Adventist Church. In December of 2018 she was baptized.

Cheryl was educated in the public school system of Philadelphia County, PA. She returned to the classroom in 1990 to complete the necessary course of training for a Certified Nursing Assistant; and, then again in 1994 to become a Park Ranger for the Michigan Department of Natural Resources Parks and Recreation Division where she worked until 2001 after being diagnosed with kidney disease.

Cheryl relocated to Michigan in 1985 where she lived for over 30 years. Over the past two years she has retained the status of double residency, in Grand Ledge and in Philadelphia, as a dual list transplant candidate.

On September 27, 1986 Cheryl was joined in holy matrimony to native Philadelphian, William Ray, in Michigan. “Ray” proceeded her in death on August 24, 2004.

The phrase “family over everything” could not describe Cheryl more. She was an excellent mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, sister, aunt, cousin and friend. And despite her ‘own’ battle, there was absolutely nothing that she would not do for any of them; especially her son, Dale, and her grandchildren who were the “apple of her eye”.

Cheryl had a smile that would light up a room and a heart that was just as big. She frequently put others’ happiness above her own and would sacrifice if it meant giving someone else a sense of comfort or peace of mind. Some thought she was intense; she was not- she simply cared a lot. After receiving dialysis three days a week; and joggling a schedule of doctor appointments, family, church and other basic life activities, Cheryl somehow managed to show us what strength, courage and preservation looks like. And through it all- she never once complained.

Cheryl leaves to cherish her memory: her son Dale Robinson of Philadelphia, PA; eleven grandchildren: Dale, Tamisha, Shanice, Shyann and Raheem Robinson of Grand Ledge, Michigan; Tiishawnn Robinson of Austin, Texas; Kaharee, Nasir, Zikye and Kyseam Robinson of Pickerington OH; and Kayden Robinson of Philadelphia, PA; four great-grandchildren: Jahlil, RJ, Eli and Liyah of Grand Ledge, Michigan; four brothers, Keith (Michelle) and Christopher (Helena) Robinson of Philadelphia, PA, Darnell Robinson (Zephne) of Richmond, VA and Lonnell Robinson (Mary) of Centerton, AK; six sisters: Delores DeShields, Saundra Wong, and Margo, Sheila, Marsha and Marilyn Robinson, all of Philadelphia, PA; and a host of nephews, nieces, cousins and friends. Cheryl’s oldest brother Humphrey (aka Sonny- 2018) and her grand-daughter Aaliyah Cheryl Ann (aka Lee-Lee- 2017) proceeded her in death.

She will be missed!