Cheryl Ann Mays Halton

1947 - 2025

Cheryl Ann Mays Halton
05/01/1947 - 08/23/2025
Cheryl Ann Mays Halton died peacefully in her sleep on August 23, 2025. She was born in Biloxi, Mississippi, on May 1, 1947, and lived in numerous states before moving to Austin, Texas, in 1962 with her parents, Ivan Kenneth Mays and Tommy Fetzer Mays, and her sister, Diana Grace Mays. She was baptized at the age of six and was a resolute Christian from even that young age.
Cheryl received a B.S. degree in Zoology and an M.A. in Journalism/Public Relations from the University of Texas at Austin. She also earned an M.A. in Theology from the Austin Graduate School of Theology. She began her professional career at the University of Texas System School of Nursing and later became a writer and businesswoman, creating a company that sold Christian symbols embossed on fine notecards. She wrote three books for children: Those Amazing Bats, Those Amazing Eels, and Those Amazing Leeches. Her articles appeared in various publications, including Parade Magazine and Highlights for Children.
She met her husband, John Charles Halton III, in Galveston, Texas, in late March 1972. They were both attending a public relations conference. John saw a beautiful and confident woman exit the elevator, enter the room, and sit in the row in front of him. He struck up a conversation and asked her to walk on the beach with him that evening. They held hands, and from that day forward, he never wanted to be away from her. They were married for almost 53 joyous years. Cheryl brought him happiness, joy, serenity, and peace-and extended that same grace to everyone she encountered. She encouraged people and believed in them. To all, her smile and manner were serene, charming, inviting, and welcoming.
She is survived by her husband, John, son, Charles Halton, and daughter-in-law, Lori, and their daughter, Grey; by her late son Andrew Mays Halton's daughter, June, and her mother, Anna Taylor Fineup, and her husband, Kevin Fineup; and by her sister, Diana. Cheryl treasured long telephone calls with her much-beloved older sister. She is also survived by Diana's daughter, Stephanie Murphree; Diana's son, Matt Murphree; his wife, Leigha; and their son, Ivan Jackson Murphree.
A Celebration of Cheryl's life will be held on Wednesday, August 27, at Christ Church Cathedral, located at 166 Market St, Lexington, KY 40507. Visitation will begin at 2:00 p.m., with the service following at 3:00 p.m. Here us the link to her service: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KtvXHQFoUis
A graveside service will be held on Saturday, August 30, at 5:00 pm at the Hutto City Cemetery, located at 100 Co Rd 135, Hutto, TX 78634. (the intersection of Ranch Road 660 and County Road 135)
Cheryl accepted the possibility of her death with dignity, calm, and peace.
In lieu of flowers, memorial gifts may be made to one of the following:
• Christ Church Cathedral in Lexington, Kentucky
https://onrealm.org/ccclex/-/form/give/default
• The Andrew Mays Halton Memorial Endowed Scholarship in Engineering at the Cockrell School of Engineering at The University of Texas at Austin:
http://links.utexas.edu/csygwvm
• The Northwest Collegiate Ministry for the Gospel Around the Sound: https://ncm.givingfuel.com/gospel-around-the-sound