Phyllis Undine Neese Cherry

Phyllis Undine Neese Cherry left this earth and went home to Heaven on Sunday, Nov. 2, 2009. She was 90.
She was a loving mother to four children, Ralph Cherry, Karen Altergott, Brian and Beverly J. Davis.  She was blessed with five grandchildren, Brian, Erin and Marion Cherry of Indiana, as well as April and Meredith Marrs of Shawnee.
She was born on July 21, 1919, in Navarro County, Texas.  She enjoyed many family reunions with her sister's family, Bernard and Gladys Wade, and brothers' families, Clyde and Margie Neese, and Dick and Dolly Neese, all of Texas. She lived on a farm with her parents, James H. and Mattie Lee Osborne Neese. She was a natural storyteller who enjoyed many life experiences such as picking cotton on the family farm and "busting open watermelons" to enjoy in the middle of a hot summer's day. She was a strong, independent woman who survived the hardships and challenges of the Great Depression, as well as supporting her country during World War II as "Rosie the Riveter." After that time, she was truly one of the thousands of strong, smart women who conquered the many challenges of post-war life in the United States. 
In 1948, she went on a "blind date" with future husband, Thomas Jefferson Cherry Jr.  Soon afterward they were married on March 25, 1948. They lived in Fort Worth, Texas, until 1965, when she and her family moved to Ponca City, where she was employed by Conoco Oil Company.  She and T.J. enjoyed many years in Ponca City. They joined the First Baptist Church of Ponca City where they made many life-long friends. They often met with their friends known as "The Gang."  They included the Adolph Schriners,  the D.E. Finchers, the Greely Veals, Melba Carter, P.H. and Elva Kleckner, and Frank and Fern Suess.
After retirement, she and T.J. fulfilled the dream of traveling and visiting the 48 contiguous United States. They settled in Shawnee in 1990, where they joined the First Baptist Church of Shawnee. They enjoyed the new friendships of many beloved members of First Baptist Church, Shawnee. The church was the site of the celebration of their 50th Wedding Anniversary. It was a beautiful memory for all who attended.  Rhetta Hudson and Jim Brown shared their many talents with everyone.
She was a member of the Daughters of American Revolution , the Hallelujah Chorus and the Rachel Sunday School Class. She loved her weekly visit to the "salon" with Lynne Turner and the girls.  She was so appreciative of the extra loving help of Jeanne Hubert and the caregivers of Loving Care of Shawnee.  Special thanks go to Jennifer of Loving Care, as well as the wonderful caregivers of the Unity ICU department led by Deb and her co-workers.
She is survived by her immediate family, as well as the following, Margie, Ginny and David Neese, Karen and Elliot Robertson, brother-in-law, Miriam Cherry and family and Bill Morgan, cousin, all of Texas.
The family will receive friends and visitors from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 5, 2009, at Walker Funeral Home.  The service will be 4 p.m. Friday, Nov. 6, at First Baptist Church in Shawnee. Burial will take place at Laurel Land Cemetary in Fort Worth, Texas, because "once a Texan, always a Texan."