Cherilyn Lewis Obituary

Cherilyn Ruth Lewis affectionately known as "Missy" was born in Cleveland, Ohio, on August 3, 1954, to Charles Frederick Lewis, I, and Clarice Ruth Lewis (both deceased) and entered into eternal rest on June 27, 2022.
Cherilyn attended Cleveland Public Schools and graduated from John Adams High School. She earned a Bachelor in English Education from Tri-State University (now Trine University) and played on their Varsity Basketball Team. Cherilyn was baptized at an early age at St. John A.M.E. Church in Cleveland, Ohio and attended regularly until leaving for college. Of course we think her passion for music started at St. John as she listened to her Mom sing in the choir. Missy loved listening to music and could sing the words to any song. Some of her favorites were Motown, Barbra Streisand, Fleetwood Mac, and Bette Midler. She also played violin and flute.
Growing up Cherilyn developed a love of sports as a participant and spectator. Some of her favorites to participate in were volleyball, badminton, basketball, softball, skiing and snowmobiling. For about eight years Missy played women's softball both in downtown Cleveland and Cleveland Heights in several leagues. Missy was capable of hitting home runs at will but she usually only hit doubles because she hated to run.
She also loved animals starting with one of the family's first pets, a Collie named Queenie to Bandit, a Border Collie, to Lucky, a German Shepherd mix, to visits from therapy dog Gracie in her waning years. And when walking Lucky at the crack of dawn Missy would communicate with the deer that found her backyard in University Heights a safe haven in which to have their fawns. Missy found these walks and wherever she went an opportunity to talk and engage people, a trait she inherited from her Dad. Missy interacted with almost everyone she came in contact with. She was so outgoing and friendly. She made friends easily and loved people watching, especially on vacations. Missy loved to wear t-shirts with inscriptions like "I don't run and if you ever see me running, you should run too, because something is probably chasing me!". Definitely conversation starters!
One of her favorite pastimes was visiting casinos in the Indiana, Pennsylvania, and New York State areas with Sharon and many friends. Missy enjoyed traveling, including many cruises to places like New Orleans, Las Vegas, and the Caribbean Islands. She and Chris were known to travel to music concerts and sporting events as well. Missy followed the Browns, the Indians (now Guardians), and the Cavaliers regularly.
Even though one of Missy's favorite sayings was "I never wanted to work", she had a distinguished career. She worked as a teacher in the Warrensville Heights City School District and coached the girls basketball team. Cherilyn next joined the Shaker Heights Police Department, Badge #61 and in 1989, she was promoted to detective six years after being hired. Missy worked in Adult, Juvenile, and Strike Force Units and was part of the CIT (Crisis Intervention Team). She was also a part of the Caribbean Gang Task Force affiliated with the Cleveland Police Department. After years of distinguished service Missy retired from the Shaker Heights Police Department as a Juvenile Detective in 2005.
Missy was preceded in death by her dear friend Sharon P. Mapp and her caring, protective, and devoted brothers, Charles Frederick Lewis, II and Calvin Roland Lewis.
Missy leaves to cherish her memory: life-long friend Christine Hill (Chris); cousins Kanita Durice Sandidge ("Dee Dee") and John R. and Martha G. Sandidge III (Johnny and Geri) of New Jersey, Robyne Lynniece Curry of Seattle, Dianne Bell and Pat Barnett of Nevada, Elizabeth Johnson and Paulett Mallard of California; and a host of cousins and other relatives and friends.
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