Jean Smith Cherry Obituary - Visitation & Funeral Information

Jean Smith Cherry was born April 9, 1944, in Rosenberg, Texas, daughter of Omar and Elouise Smith. She passed away on September 14, 2020, in Dallas, Texas. Jeanne spent a joyful childhood at her home in Bryan, Texas, with her parents and two younger brothers, Terry and Don. An outstanding student and avid reader, she excelled in music and performed in many Stephen F. Austin High School musicals. And with her father as coach for Texas A&M tennis, she grew up surrounded by the world of Aggie athletics. She attended Southern Methodist University in Dallas, majoring in English and Music Performance. Singing with the University Choir under Lloyd Pfautsch, she performed in several concert tours of the US and Europe. After graduating SMU, Jeanne taught elementary and high school in Dallas and, for a year, in Switzerland. In 1974, she became a travel agent, arranging fascinating vacations and tours and, as an agent, visiting cities and regions here and in Europe. Meanwhile, she continued singing with the SMU Perkins Chancel Choir as well as performing choral masterworks with the Dallas Civic Chorus. In 1976, Jeanne joined the SMU Meadows School of the Arts as Director of Graduate Records, where she served until 2010. During this time, the Meadows School expanded significantly, so that, through the years, Jeanne helped many hundreds of talented national and international artists gain graduate degrees in music, dance, theater, painting and sculpture, and broadcast media. Also in 1974, she married Tom Cherry, and together in 1986 they welcomed their beautiful daughter Eva. Jeanne lived life with a special appreciation and freedom. She was an intrepid traveler from her youth, and as an adult she explored North and South America, Britain and Europe, and the Middle East, once even sharing Christmas Eve with a Bedouin family outside of Bethlehem. She voraciously read English mysteries, usually figuring out fairly well in advance ‘who done it’. She lived in Cambridge for a year, singing in St. Mary’s Church choir. She had High Tea at No. 10 Downing Street. Prince Charles was studying at Cambridge University while she lived there. When walking the steps into a concert hall, the future king of England actually spoke to her! He said, “Good evening.” Jeanne’s was a life of curiosity and discovery, delight in the colors and calls of birds, in flowers and trees and cats, in kings and queens, language and legend. She lived her life as blessed, and all who knew her felt blessed. Jean Smith Cherry was preceded in death by her parents Omar and Elouise Beard Smith and her brother Terry Omar Smith and survived by brother Don Alan Smith and daughter Eva Beverly Cherry. Graveside services for the family only will be held at 1:00 PM Friday, September 25, 2020 at College Station Cemetery in College Station, Texas. In lieu of flowers, donations may be sent to Lakewood United Methodist Church, Dallas, Texas.

Jean Smith Cherry

April 9, 1944 - September 14, 2020

Obituary & Service

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Jean Smith Cherry

April 9, 1944 - September 14, 2020

Obituary & Service

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