Cheryl Ann Marteney

Cheryl Ann Marteney of New Bern, NC died on June 19, 2015 due to complications from cancer. She was born in Clarksburg, WV on December 20, 1958 to Blanche Flodene (Rastle) and the late Kenneth Kenton Marteney. She is survived by Jim Okonek; sons Jeremy Okonek (Sharon) of Farmville, NC and Jay Okonek (Corrine) of Chesapeake, VA; grandchildren Jackson, Madison, Scarlett and Jasper; brother Alan Marteney (Debi) of Dover, DE; nephews Ken Fischer (Ana) of Broomall, PA and Josh Bryant (Fiancé Marielle Zibman) of Baltimore, MD; and great nieces Liviya and Dalya Fischer and great nephew Isaac Fischer.

Cheryl Ann was a graduate of Bridgeport Senior High School where she was valedictorian of her class. She graduated from West Virginia Wesleyan College (magna cum laude) and the College of William and Mary Law School. At Wesleyan, she was in the college choir and continued her involvement with music in the choir and as the substitute organist at the Bridgeport United Methodist Church and the Madrigal Singers of Clarksburg. She was a partner in the firm Ward and Smith, P.A. where she was leader of the Appellate Practice Group and had been involved in appeals to the North Carolina appellate courts, the United States Court of Appeals for the Fourth Circuit, and the United States Supreme Court. She was a member of the: American Bar Association-Sections: Litigation, State and Local Government Law; Craven County Bar Association (past secretary/treasurer/president); Defense Research Institute; North Carolina Association of Defense Attorneys; and the North Carolina Bar Association-Sections: Construction Law, Litigation. Cheryl was also involved in her community where she served on the board of the Coastal Carolina Chapter of the American Red Cross and the board of the Craven County Partners in Education.

In addition to her professional and civic accomplishments, Cheryl will be remembered for her intimate involvement with the many people who were fortunate to have her in their lives, as a mentor and friend, especially by the family of co-workers and clients at Ward and Smith, her neighbors and her close friend Rebecca Forest.

Arrangements are being handled by Cotten Funeral Home, 2201 Neuse Blvd, New Bern, NC 28560 (www.dignitymemorial.com) where there will be a viewing on Tuesday, June 23, 2015 from 6 to 8 PM and Wednesday, June 24, 2015 from noon to 2 PM where a celebration of her life will be held immediately following. Interment will be private.

In lieu of flowers, the family suggests donations to the Craven County Partners in Education (www.cravenpartners.com) or the American Cancer Society (www.cancer.org ).