Mary Lou Cheek

Beloved mother, grandmother and great grandmother Mary Lou Cheek passed away on July 2, 2023, which was the 73rd anniversary of her marriage to Henry Clay Cheek Jr. She was born in Vernon, Texas on July 24, 1928. Her family was from Sulphur Springs, but had moved to Vernon shortly before Mary Lou’s birth. They moved back to Sulphur Springs shortly after her birth and she lived there until her marriage to Henry in 1950. She was preceded in death by her husband Henry, her parents Roy and Chloe Noles of Sulphur Springs, and her brothers Roy Noles Jr. (late Helen), and Fred Noles (Glena). She is survived by her sons Larry Cheek (Lynn), Bob Cheek (Tony Lopez), grandchildren John Cheek (Tish), Lisa Cheek (Vincent Onstott), great grandson Rio Vincent Onstott. and cousins Barbara Martin (late Kenneth) and Jerry Ramsdale.

Mary Lou and Henry both graduated from Sulphur Springs High School, she in 1944 and he in 1941. Henry was a WWII veteran and graduated from East Texas State University in 1948. He moved to Dallas but often came to visit his parents who also lived in Sulphur Springs. On one of those visits, he met a pretty girl named Mary Lou and they were married a year later.

Mary Lou was a devoted wife, mother and aunt. Henry’s business required frequent travel and moves to seven cities over the course of their marriage. Mary Lou had to handle the home front. She was a terrific mother, always supportive, active in PTA, Cub Scout Den Mother, active in the Methodist Church and the anchor of the family.

After she and Henry retired to Granbury, TX she took art lessons and discovered a real talent. She painted landscapes and portraits and even did a little sculpting. She was a stellar seamstress and needlepoint artist. Her family will always treasure the beautiful and one-of-a-kind Christmas stockings she created. She was famous for sending her generous “Care Packages” when the kids went away to college. Her nieces and nephews were included in birthdays and other occasions too. She loved her chocolates and was always sneaking a few even to very end.

She and Henry were always active in the Methodist Church wherever they lived, but most especially at the First Methodist Church of Longview, TX and the Acton United Methodist Church in Granbury, TX. She moved to an Assisted Living Facility in Fort Worth in 2013 and became a member at Arborlawn Methodist Church, which she attended until her frailties made that too difficult.

She passed peacefully on the night of July 2, in Dallas. We will miss her smile, her sunny disposition and her caring. She is now with Henry and the rest of her beloved family members who have passed.

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.Sparkman-Hillcrest.com for the Cheek family.