Cheryl Marie Beckett

Beckett, Cheryl Marie-was born on June 26, 1978. Cheryl was raised east of Cincinnati in Owensville, OH and graduated as valedictorian at Clermont Northeastern High School. She went on to graduate Summa Cum Laude from Indiana Wesleyan University with a degree in biology. During college, Cheryl developed a global passion for justice and love while on her travels to Honduras, Mexico, Kenya and Zimbabwe. After college, Cheryl worked with AmeriCorps at the Marsh-Billings-Rockefeller National Historic Park in Vermont. Cheryl’s Christian faith and compassion for people led her to Ecological Concerns for Hunger Organization (ECHO) where she prepared for overseas humanitarian projects. Cheryl spent the last six years serving the people of Afghanistan through community development with a focus on nutritional gardening and mother-child health. Cheryl had a deep love for the Afghan people and immersed herself in the local culture, including learning Pashtun and studying the Dari languages. Cheryl was the pride of her family and loved dearly by her parents, Charles and Mary Beckett of Knoxville, TN; siblings Michael (Kimberly) Beckett of Copley, OH; Sarah Beckett of Knoxville, TN; and Matthew (Lindsey) Beckett and niece, Leah of Bondurant, WY; grandparents Don (Jean) Fink of Norton, OH; Uncle and Aunt Doris (Steve) Zigler and cousin Jacob of Medina, OH. She is preceded in death by grandparents, Earl (Edna) Beckett; Aunt, Cheryl Ann Beckett of Barberton, OH, and Uncle Jon Fink. Visitation will be from 11:00 a.m. -1:30 p.m. at Woodlawn Christian Church on Saturday, August 21, 2010, with a Celebration of Life Service at 2:00 p.m. Interment to follow at Woodlawn Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, donations can be sent to Woodlawn Christian Church, c/o Cheryl Beckett Memorial Fund, 4339 Woodlawn Pike, Knoxville, TN 37920. Arrangements by Berry Funeral Home, Chapman Highway. Condolences may be offered at berryfuneralhome.com.