Cheryl Ann Schoen

Cheryl Ann Schoen, 75 of Texarkana, AR passed away on Sunday, May 31, 2020 at her home. She was born on September 18, 1944 in Hot Springs, AR. Cheryl attended Arkansas High School where she was a member of the Latin Club, Future Business Leaders of America (FBLA), Junior Red Cross Representative (2 years), Red Jackets, Marching Band (Flute) and Majorette for 3 years and Senior Play Committee member.

Cheryl was a member of St. Edward’s Catholic Church where she served in the women’s Altar Society and Silver Circle, supported and volunteered for the Catholic Youth Organization (CYO) and many other church volunteer opportunities providing fellowship and support.

Early in her career, Cheryl worked at a local fabric shop, gradually becoming a professional seamstress and was well known for her tailoring, alterations, costume designs and wedding gown adornments.

She later worked for the Arkansas Department of Corrections-TRCC as a Bookkeeper, played on the TRCC Bowling Team and retired after 25+ years. Cheryl was a champion of our Freedom of Speech and the Right to Vote and during election years she would take vacation time to “do some campaigning”. She could be seen at different campaign headquarters over the years where she identified locations and events to conduct phone banking for state representative campaigns, distributed campaign material to the public, collected signatures and other campaign needs for her chosen candidates. Cheryl recounted the story many times of meeting then Governor Bill Clinton for the second time at the Arkansas State Democratic Convention where he remembered her because of her “Big and Sparkly Earrings”.

Cheryl loved to collect and display bird curiosities throughout her home including beautiful vintage art prints of birds in their natural habitats. She was especially fond of Hummingbirds and she enjoyed “Bird Watching” from her back-yard patio with Harry, her devoted husband of 58 years.

Christmas was Cheryl’s favorite time of year. She loved Christmas Trees, Santa Claus figures, and Christmas Parties. Over the years she and Harry hosted many Christmas Dinner Buffet’s for family and friends where her homemade Salsa always ran out and her famous Chicken Spaghetti was the star.

Cheryl enjoyed spending time with friends and family and going to outdoor venues such as summer swimming at the Elks Club, Arkansas State Fair, vacationing at Gulf Shores, various Live Music Concerts and Events like George Strait and Merle Haggard, Red River Revel, Canton Trade Days, antiquing in Jefferson, Texas and the Jonquil Festival at Washington, Arkansas. Over the past twelve years, she was particularly fond of going to Mardi Gras at Jefferson, Texas and was drawn to the extravagance of the outfits, beads and jewelry and outlandish hats – of which she fashioned her own each year.

She had a good eye for art and antique treasures and enjoyed collecting various prints of well-known Texarkana landmarks. Cheryl’s outgoing and spirited personality naturally drew her to outlandish “Bling Jewelry” and she was well-known for wearing layers of sparkly jewelry and colorful attire.

Cheryl will be fondly remembered by family and friends as a loving wife and mother, Wednesday Rummy Card Games with “the girls”, avid 50’s/60’s Rock-n-Roll music aficionado, her favorite song, “Blueberry Hill” by Fats Domino, her love affair with York Peppermint Patties and Fried Bologna Cornbread Sandwiches from Kitts Kornbread & Pie Bar, and after church family dinners at Zapata’s.

She was at times direct and blunt, sometimes antagonistic and cynical; yet she loved to laugh, had a smile and country drawl that could disarm you in 10 seconds and she was fiercely loyal and doted on those she loved – that love she shared with family and friends was deep and unwavering and will be remembered always.

She was preceded in death by her daughter, Kim Schoen Hughes and mother Betty Tidwell, step-father Thomas Grayson, brother Frank Grayson and special grandmother, Edna Gillham.

Survivors include her husband Harry Schoen of Texarkana, AR; grandson Levi Hughes of Texarkana, AR; two brothers and sister-in-law, Richard and Diana Grayson of Dallas, Tx and Glen Grayson of Texarkana, AR; sister and brother-in-law, Anna Jean and Randy Gard of Alabama a number of nieces and nephews and special friends.

Mass of Christian Burial will be 10am Wednesday June 3, 2020 at St. Edwards Catholic Church with Rev. William Burmester officiating. Burial will be in Calvary Cemetery under the direction of East Funeral Home-Downtown.

Open visitation will be from 10am to 6pm Tuesday June 2, 2020 with a rosary to be recited at 6pm at East Funeral Home-Downtown.

Memorials can be made to the St. Edwards Catholic Church.

The service will be live streamed on East Funeral Home Facebook page - www.facebook.com/eastfuneralhome

Online tribute can be posted at www.eastfuneralhomes.com