Cheryl Lynn Anderson

Cheryl Lynn Anderson, 57, passed away unexpectedly October 6th, at her home. Cheryl, a lifelong resident of Raleigh, was born in Rex Hospital on June 5, 1961. She graduated from Jessie O. Sanderson High School and attended Saint Mary’s College in Raleigh.

Ms. Anderson was employed at the American Kennel Club, Raleigh headquarters. She taught classes at Teamworks of Raleigh. Cheryl had expertise in diverse areas of training for dogs. She was equally comfortable training Therapy Dogs or Canine Good Citizens. Her family often thought of her as the “female answer to the dog whisperer”.

Cheryl Anderson directed her contagious enthusiasm to her passion for animals. She was highly respected as a breeder, trainer and professional dog handler. Her numerous friends included other breeders and handlers on the AKC Dog Show circuit. Her favorite breeds were Papillons, Whippets and Jack Russell Terriers. She bred, owned and showed many dogs to their Championship titles during her career. Her love of dogs began in childhood with Toody Muldoon.

Cheryl blessed her family and friends with her charm, her beauty, love of life and her mischievous sense of humor. She was a natural during the many years she served as a Division manager of the Jimmy V Celebrity Golf Classic. The many celebrities, as well as golfers and other volunteers, looked forward to seeing Cheryl each year.

Cheryl was a gifted artist and lent those talents to business and social ventures. Her creativity sparked the imaginations of her children every year at Halloween. Their family celebrations were fun- filled and contagious and spread through their neighborhood, highlighting the fall season.

Cheryl Anderson, you were a beloved daughter, mother, fun sister, caring niece, beautiful aunt, terrific cousin, dear friend, cherished companion and one gifted and talented lady. The world is a better place because you walked through part of life with each of us. If there is a “Rainbow Bridge”, you are there with the many, many pets you cherished and shared your life and home with.

Cheryl was predeceased by her parents, George and Frances Anderson. She is survived by three daughters, Kirsten Collins Russell, Kelsey Anderson Russell and Kayla Marie Russell all of North Hollywood, California; Two sisters survive, Paige Heafner Etheridge of Virginia Beach, Virginia and Pamela Jo Anderson of Raleigh. Her aunt, Carolyn Anderson Williams of Mechanicsville, Virginia also survives. Three nieces survive, Elizabeth Heafner Spanjers, Allison Heafner Irving and Megan Victoria Dionne. Cheryl is also survived by one nephew, Christopher Lee Dionne and two great nephew Alexander Vance Spanjers and Ashton Dionne. The sandwich generation of cousins, Shannon Campbell Mahaffey, Kristi Campbell Zollo and Benson Walker Campbell, IV thought of her as their ‘special, beautiful, fun loving older cousin’ and she made their trips to Raleigh better than special. Cheryl also leaves a partner Todd Ford. Cheryl leaves copious first cousins as well as many close friends who deeply mourn her loss.

A Memorial Service will be held will be held Sunday, October 14th at 11:00 AM at Raleigh Memorial Park Mausoleum Chapel, 7501 Glenwood Ave, Raleigh.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made in Cheryl’s memory to the SPCA or a charity of your choice.