Cheri E. Woodson, 76

Cheri Elizabeth (McMurtrey) Woodson, or Cheribeth, was born on April 26, 1947, to John and Kathryn (Herrington) Mc Mur trey in Valentine. She passed away November 15, 2023, at the age of 76, while living at the Community Memorial Health Center in Burwell.

Cheri grew up on the McMurtrey Ranch south of Nenzel, where she attended the District 83 country school through the eighth grade and graduated from Cody High School in 1965. She went on to attend beauty school in Omaha, where she met a handsome Air Force man named Robert “Bob” Woodson. They were married August 6, 1969. To this union three children were born.

Being an Air Force wife, Cheri followed her husband to his duty stations in South Dakota and Texas and worked various jobs along the way, most notably the manager for many years at Royal Optical in Abilene, TX. In 1991, after she and Bob retired, they moved back to Valentine. Her home was referred to as The Woodson Hotel. You could show up anytime, day or night, and you were always welcome!

After returning to Nebraska, Cheri enjoyed quilting, sewing, crocheting, knitting, cross stitch, cooking and baking. She was a master at each one of them. While Cheri loved doing all those things, what she loved the most was being a wife, mother and grandmother.

Cheri is survived by her children: John George (Tamra) of Chadron, Lisa Dawn (Jeff) of Graham, TX and William Earl “Bill” of Valentine; grandchildren, Jessie (Breann), Chris, Brittany (Keegan), Kyle (Makaela), Tristan, Sierra (James) and Gavin; eight great-grandchildren and another on the way; one great-great grandchild, with another on the way; along with a host of cousins, nieces, nephews, extended family and friends. She was loved dearly and will be missed by them all.

Cheri was preceded in death by her husband Robert Earl Woodson, her parents, grandparents and only sibling, Charles McMurtrey.

Services for Cheri were held at Holmes Funeral Home in Valentine, Monday, November 20, 2023, at 10:00 a.m. with burial following at the Kilgore Cemetery in Kilgore.