Cheryl Black Roper

CHERYL BLACK ROPER was born June 29, 1930 at Peter T. Black’s home in Delta, Utah. She was the first of seven children born to Lucian Paul and Deona Church Black. She lived in the Delta area during her school years. Cheryl was super involved in various high school clubs and organizations and was at the top of her class scholastically. She loved laughing with her best friends Carol and Jean. Cheryl met Grayson Dee Roper at a church activity at the Oak City sandhills. She said he was “really fun and had a darling personality”. After that first “date” they were inseparable as they didn’t miss a show, dance or any event. He often showered her with gifts and especially flowers which he left in her locker during the Spring. She thought he was rich!

 Cheryl got a scholarship to USU but Grayson had other plans and gave her a ring for their graduation. They were married July 29th,1948 in the Manti, Utah LDS temple. They lived in Lynndyl, Delta, and Oak City before finally settling down in (Zion) Fool Creek, Utah. There they raised crops and animals but most importantly their children: Jacquelyn (Denis) Hawkins, Cynthia (Dennis) Cook, Paul Grayson (Becky) Roper, Bruce Black (Cindy) Roper, David Dee (Shanna) Roper, Cherry (Pieter) Florence, Rosalie (Michael) Peterson, and Gloria (Scott) Cowley.

 Cheryl had so many talents but here are only a few. She loved to oil paint on canvas and most of her children have one of her paintings hanging in their own homes. Cheryl was an excellent photographer and won many awards in both painting and photography. She was gifted in music and shared that talent with her family. Cheryl was an avid reader and was often found with a book in her hand.  She was inspired to write two books about her relatives- Jane Black and Ray Church. Many will remember Cheryl as their school bus driver who formed lasting memories with them. She was an excellent chef. Her cinnamon rolls, bread, potato salad, and banana crush never lasted long. Cheryl could make a meal out of anything. She taught her daughters how to cook, sew, knit, and preserve foods. She taught her sons the importance of the scriptures by reading to them at night.

Cheryl has a strong testimony of our Savior, Jesus Christ and accepted many various church callings. One of these was Relief Society President where she felt very inadequate because she “didn’t quilt”. Grayson and Cheryl served a two-year mission in Germany and eight years as temple workers in the Manti, Utah temple.

 Cheryl will continue to be an example of charity to her 51 grandchildren, 120 great grandchildren and 8 great-great grandchildren.  She will never be forgotten by her siblings: Stanley Black, Dorothy Teichert, Paulene (Keith) Tolbert, Lorene (Al) Wilhelm, Phillip (Cheryl) Black, and John (Sondra) Black.  Those who greeted mother in heaven include: Her sweetheart-Grayson; their parents- Lucian and Deona & Leland and Eva; her brother Stanley; in-laws: John Teichert, Phil Smith, JoLynn Black, LJ and Norda Roper, Theo and Edwin Stuart, & Nada and Bill Simpson. 

 She looked forward to hugging her grandson Tyson and great grandson Christopher.

 Mom, you enjoyed life to the fullest and made every moment count. Enjoy your joyous reunion in heaven as our hearts will heal in time.

 Funeral services will be held in the Leamington Ward Chapel on Saturday, November first at 11:00 AM with a viewing 9:00 AM to 10:45 AM prior to the service. Internment in the Oak City Cemetery under the direction of Rasmussen Mortuary.

To Watch Funeral Services Live, Click Here. The Live Zoom Link will be Available to 10:45 a.m. MST prior to services.