Cheryl was born January 24, 1944 as the youngest daughter of John Calvin and Vela Mae Walding. She came into this world singing and from her early teen years, began serving as a soloist and later, choir director. After graduating from Columbus High School and Auburn University, Cheryl spent her professional career in Columbus, Georgia as a musician and teacher, influencing the lives of countless students through her work at Daniel Junior High School, as a teacher at Calvary Christian School, music teacher at Clubview Elementary and choral director at Hardaway High. She also served as choir director at several local churches including Rose Hill United Methodist, Opelika First Methodist and Upatoi United Methodist. Although her life was filled with many professional accolades like Page 1 Teacher of the Year and having award-winning choirs sing at Carnegie Hall in New York city, she always felt her most important contribution was sharing the love of Jesus with those around her. Her love and enthusiasm for life, others and her God was contagious.
After retiring from her professional careers as a public school teacher and church musician, life only seemed to become sweeter, as Cheryl married the great love of her life, Haydn Crosby, served faithfully in her local church and spent extended time with her friends and family. There was never any doubt how proud she was of her children, Matthew and Amanda, not to mention her beloved grandson, Cameron. After Haydn's passing, Cheryl moved to Asheville, North Carolina becoming an active member of the Hendersonville First United Methodist Church, their adult choir and the Hendersonville Chorale.
Cheryl is survived by her children, Matthew Tommey, of Asheville, North Carolina and Amanda Tommey Terbush of Chicago, Illinois in addition to her daughter-in-law, Tanya Tommey, grandson, Cameron Tommey and son-in-law, Alan Terbush. She is also survived by her beloved sisters, Bevelyn Blair of Columbus, Georgia and Joanne Walker of Atlanta, Georgia and her extended family in Bristol, England, Handel & Ruth Crosby and Jayne, Chris and Phoebe Selway. Cheryl was preceded in death by brother, James "Buddy" Walding, her husband, Haydn Crosby and parents, John Calvin and Vela Mae Walding.
Visitation for friends and family will be held at Striffler-Hamby Mortuary, 4071 Macon Road, Columbus, Georgia on Wednesday, October 3, 2018 from 5:00-7:00 pm. Funeral Services will be held at St. Paul United Methodist Church in Columbus, Georgia on Thursday, October 4, 2018 at 11:00 am. with Reverend Dr. Cynthia Cox Garrard officiating. Interment will immediately follow at Parkhill Cemetery.
