Mary Louise Cheek

Mary Louise Cheek went on to be with her Lord and Savior Saturday, January 1, 2022, in San Angelo. She had a big personality and never met a stranger. Meeting her was like meeting a second mother, a new best friend, a comedian, a confidant, and just all-around good person. She loved the Lord, her family, friends, and hats.

Mary was born May 16, 1947, to Sammie Louise Sutton and Calvin Wishom in St Louis, Missouri. In her teen years she was raised by Cenith and Richmond Bean. Mary attended Beaumont High School in St Louis, Missouri. Mary completed a vocational nursing program in the late seventies to become a Licensed Vocational Nurse.

On March 1, 1974, Mary enlisted in the Air Force and attended basic training at Lackland Air Force Base, Texas. After basic training, Mary went to technical training to become a Medical Services Craftsman. Upon completing technical training Airman Wishom was assigned to Scott Air Force Base, Illinois. During her military career she was stationed at Eglin Air Force Base, Florida; Davis Monthan Air Force Base, Arizona, Kirtland Air Force Base, New Mexico; Clark Air Base, Philippines; Goodfellow Air Force Base, Texas; Hickam Air Force Base, Hawaii. Mary moved to San Angelo in 1988 with her then husband John William Cheek, Jr. They moved to Hickam Air Force Base Hawaii in 1991 and returned to San Angelo in 1994, where she remained until her death on January 1, 2022. On August 31, 1994, Mary retired after serving her country honorably for 20 years from the Air Force, as a Master Sergeant. She was awarded several medals and decorations including the Meritorious Service Medal, Air Force Commendation Medal with two oak leaf clusters, the Air Force Good Conduct Medal, the National Defense Service Medal and several more.

Post retirement from the Air Force, Mary served the San Angelo community as a Hospice Nurse for Hospice of San Angelo where she assisted many families through the transition of the death process. She also provided safety and security for under privileged foster children as a foster mom and maintained relationships with them as they became adults with their own families and children. Her compassion was felt throughout her life and community. Mary loved to shop, cook, bake, collect bells and Santas, and spend time with family and friends.

She was proceeded in death by her parents, Sammie Louise Sutton, Calvin Wishom, Cenith Bean and Richmond Bean.

Mary was loved by many and was a member of many organizations to include the Order of the Eastern Stars, The Red Hat Society, The Lions Club and was a leader for the San Angelo Starlettes where she guided teen girls through the Debutante process. She was a member of and attended Christian Fellowship Baptist Church.

Those left to cherish her memory are her five children, Richmond Carlos Bean, Bernadette Djuna Wishom, Audrey Evette Rhodes, Jennifer Lynn Jones, and Michael Victor Ward; two grand-daughters, Bernadette Louise Davison and Ashley Bria Rhodes; and one great-granddaughter, Laiyah Faith Davison. She also leaves behind five siblings, Clara Waller, Samuel Wishom (Barbara), Richard Wishom, Clyde Wishom (Metre) and Cenith West (Ronald) as well as many other relatives, friends and coworkers.

Public Viewing will be Friday, January 7, 2022, from 2:00 PM until 8:00 PM at Robert Massie Funeral Home.

Services will be 11:00 AM Saturday, January 8, 2022, at Christian Fellowship Baptist Church with Reverend Ronnie Hawkins. Mary will be buried in Arlington Cemetery in Arlington, Virginia at a later date.

Her children will be receiving guests from 3:00 PM until 7:00 PM Saturday, January 8, 2022, at Mary's house.