Cheryl Ann (Bacon) Mahan

We find ourselves asking "where did time go" much too frequently in the past few years. Wasn't it just yesterday that we were all so young? Playing in the park on John St. in Little Falls, NY. Or walking to school, Benton Hall Academy, in the cold of winter with only cardboard covering the holes in our shoes. We didn't have it easy but our mom did the best she could and for that we are stronger and wiser than the youth of today. Mom taught us to take care of our self and be street smart. Work for what you have and do not take charity even if it means you wear the same outfit all week to school. You wash it out at night and put it on next morning.

My little sis, Cheryl, could hold her own against anyone, even her big sister who thought it was cute to pull her ponytail. There was five of us in New York. Dolly, Bill, Evelyn, Cheryl, and Ronald. Well that was then and we all made it through because we have strong heritage pushing us forward.

Mom met her love and we moved to Colorado, where the work was. Who knew we would be blessed with a baby sister, Robin. How thrilled we were to have this beautiful redheaded baby as our sister. Now there are 6.

Cheryl met Jerry Mahan in Utah. Three days later they were married. They moved to California for a while then moved to Kentucky. They built a life there and welcomed a beautiful young girl, Debralee, into their home and embraced her as the daughter they always dreamed of having. Debralee, in turn, blessed them with four beautiful grandchildren; Jonathon, Earl Jr., Kaylee and Kiara. Cheryl was so proud of her family.

When her grandson, Jonathon, graduated from high school, her pride was more than anyone could imagine. Even though she couldn't be there, she knew he was ok with that and knew she was so very proud of him.

Cheryl worked as a front desk clerk for a major hotel in Louisville, KY, for many years. This was the perfect job for her as she was amazing with people skills. She worked there until she and Jerry were in a terrible car accident. She couldn't drive anymore, partly out of fear and partly because of the damage done to her knees. She stayed home and cared for her grandbabies.

Our Lord called her love, Jerry, home on May 2, 2010.

Cheryl stayed in Kentucky for a short time. Things were getting harder for her so our big sister, Dolly, and baby sister, Robin, drove to Kentucky and brought Cheryl home. I was fighting cancer so I stayed home. Good thing because Jerry hitched a ride too!! LOL

Cheryl was such a help to Big Sis. She was fighting cancer and Cheryl's help made it easier for her. Cheryl was so happy she could be with Big Sis during this time.

Big Sis was called home on December 27, 2015. Now there are 5.

Cheryl took such good care of Grandpa. She loved making his favorite dishes and was diligent about reminding him to take his medicine.

Cheryl enjoyed interacting with all her niece's and nephew's. She loved to tease them and "set them straight" when they got out of line. She was thrilled with their accomplishments and kept up with their growth and joys.

Cheryl loved to play Bingo. Every Tuesday night little sis, Robin, and niece, Misty, would come and get her to take her to Bingo. When she found out they played Bingo at rehab she was at the front of the table, thrilled when she won her quarter.

Then Cheryl was afflicted with enormous health issues and was in rehab for much longer then she planned. Every time she thought she was making progress another health issue came up. Sis fought hard. It is hard to imagine waking up every day knowing you can't walk and hoping you can at least sit up in a chair. She fought this with everything she had. Like a Dedicke!!

I believe God thought she had enough and called her home. She died peacefully in her sleep. Grace, one of her aids, said, "Only good souls die peaceful like that." The help at the rehab loved her so. They are grief stricken as we are but know she is free of all suffering and is with all our loved ones waiting for her, as they are for us when it is our time. Now there are 4.

We will miss our sister dearly.

Cheryl is survived by her daughter, Debralee Kistner; two sisters, Evelyn Louise (Gerald) Hopp (née Bacon) and Robin Lynn Billman (née Oaksford); two brothers, Roscoe Garfield (Deberah) Bacon and Ronald Charles (Elizabeth) Bacon ; two grandsons, Jonathon Preston, Earl Goodwin, Jr.; two granddaughters, Kalee Goodwin and Kiara Goodwin; and numerous nieces, nephews, and extended family. She is preceded in death by her husband, Jerry Wayne Mahan; mother, Anna Louise Bacon Oaksford (nee Dedicke); father, Roscoe Warren Bacon; and sister, Dolly Mae Bacon-Weber.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to City of Hope Cancer Center at:
https://secure3.convio.net/coh/site/Donation2;jsessionid=70E582BC33595DDF1AE40169498A5D10.app350b?df_id=1800&1800.donation=form1&_ga=2.221198749.483678687.1533570204-306333746.1533570204
(copy and paste link into address bar to access website)

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God's Garden
By Melissa Shreve

God looked around his garden and found an empty place
He then looked down upon the Earth and saw your tired face
He put his arms around you and lifted you to rest
With the help of his angels they flew you to your heavenly place
God's garden must be beautiful, he always takes the best
He knew you were suffering, he knew you were in pain
He knew that you would never get well on Earth again
He saw the road was getting rough and the hills too hard to climb
He closed your weary eyelids and whispered "Peace be Thine"
It broke our hearts to lose you but you didn't go alone
For part of us went with you the day God called you home.