Cheryll Ann Wheaton Kennedy

Cheryll Ann Wheaton Kennedy was born on October 15, 1947, in Lake Charles, LA, to Myrtiel Leverton Wheaton and Henry Wheaton Jr. She was the oldest of 14 children born to that union. Cheryll graduated from Washington Marion High School in 1965 and pursued higher education at the illustrious Grambling State University, where she pledged Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. She received her Bachelor of Science Degree in Mathematics from Grambling in 1973.

On July 1, 1968, she married her first love, Arlander Kennedy Sr. Together, they had two children, Arlander Jr. (Rena) and Nicole (Kenneth James). She was employed at BellSouth in New Orleans, Louisiana, until her retirement in 2002. An avid gardener, Cheryll enjoyed planting and caring for a variety of fruits, vegetables, and flowers. Furthermore, she loved arts and crafts; with an incredible eye for color and design, Cheryll routinely decorated her house and her signature fir tree for every holiday season. Lastly, Cheryll loved to travel, treasuring annual vacation trips with her grandchildren.

Cheryll was fiercely devoted to her family and friends. She leaves behind to cherish her memories and honor her legacy her husband, children, and five grandchildren, whom she adored greatly: Kennedy James, Lindsey Kennedy, Kenneth James Jr., Jayden Kennedy, and Jordan Kennedy. She also leaves 5 sisters: Brenda Downey of Houston, TX, Stephanie Wheaton, Paulette Wheaton and Pamela Wheaton all of Lake Charles, LA, Meredith (Scotty) Ball of Dallas, TX and 5 brothers: Henry Wheaton III of Atlanta, GA, Joe Tommie Wheaton, Richard (Victoria) Wheaton, Jeffrey Wheaton all of Lake Charles, LA and Dale (Mary) Wheaton of Milwaukee, WI and a host of nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her parents, sisters Gaynell Wheaton and Patricia Wheaton Burke, and brother Ray Anthony Wheaton.

While we grieve the loss of Cheryll, let us keep her memory alive by embodying her compassion, strength, and love in everything we do.