Jean Cheeks

Wife, Mom, Grammy, Great Grammy – those were her favorite roles in life.
Jean was born Dec. 20, 1922 in Rockville, Md. to Lawrence and Adelaide Beane, and shared her home with brothers Lawrence and William, and sister, Louella, all of whom predeceased her.

She met the love of her life, Worley Cheeks, in school, and told everyone she met throughout her life what a "hunk" her Worley was. Sadly, he died at 56. Mom always said she was never interested in anyone else because "When you have had the best, why settle for less."

Jean retired from the state of Maryland as a typing pool supervisor for the Montgomery County Maryland Department of Social Services, but her true career ambition was to be a Rockette in New York City. She loved to dance. Last month, she also confessed that she would have liked to have been Frank Sinatra's piano player.

Her greatest joys in life were her family members. Her love of cooking was passed on to her daughters, and Worley's love of sports to their son, Terry, who passed away at 44. Jean was a Sunday School teacher, volunteer church secretary, and Vacation Bible School teacher, giving her children an early lesson in the importance of knowing God and having Him be the center of your life.

The biggest thrill of this life was becoming a Grammy. While waiting for Alec to arrive, she pretended to be reading a book, which was upside down and the pages never turned. She was a frequent babysitter for Alec, Lauren, Joanna, Brian and Eric, and welcomed Kevin into her home with much love.

In the final months of her life she was blessed by the loving staff at Consulate for rehab, Morningside for daily care and Hospice Community Care for her final weeks. Our family will be forever grateful for your loving, tender care of our dear Mom, Grammy and Great Grammy.

When the angels came for Jean on April 5, she left to celebrate the joy of being part of her life her daughters, Donna Cooper (David) and Carol Boyajy (Bill); daughter-in-law, Becky Cheeks; grandchildren, Alec (Robbin), Lauren (Kevin), Joanna (Aaron), Brian (Jamie), Eric (Jessica) and Kevin (Ashley); great-granddaughters, Cecelia, Elizabeth, Helena, Catherine and Penelope; and her best friend, Roxie Phillips.

Private graveside services will be held at a future date at Parklawn Cemetery in Rockville, Md. The family requests donations be made to a favorite charity.