Cheryl "Cherry" Lynn Hart

Cherry was born in Mbeya, Tanzania on April 24, 1961. The daughter of American missionaries Eldred and Jane Echols (née Holland), she later moved to South Africa and attended Benoni High School. When her family relocated to the U.S., she enrolled in Michigan Christian College where she met Clay. They were married in the Echols home on December 19, 1980 in Sterling Heights, MI. The newlyweds then transferred to Abilene Christian University.

In July 1985 the couple moved to Durban, South Africa when their firstborn son, Chris was only a few months old. Their second son, Cody, and daughter, Candy, were born in Durban.

After years of treasured memories and mission work, Cherry and family moved to Texas in 2003. The transition was painful and became an experience that spurred Cherry and Clay to minister to missionaries and others experiencing cultural upheaval through Inter Mission Ministry.

Cherry fulfilled a lifelong vision of being trained to be a counselor by earning her MA from Dallas Baptist University in 2012. Moving to Oklahoma later that year, Clay and Cherry joined Memorial Road Church of Christ where they served the International Ministry and Cherry began her counseling practice. They also served as house parents to many international students. Cherry will always be remembered for her hospitality, sense of adventure, and compassionate care for others.

She is survived by her husband, Clay; children: Chris, Cody, and Candy; grandson, Lenny; brother, Steve; sister, Cindy; and many other family members and friends.

A celebration of life will be held on June 8th at 10 am Central at Memorial Road Church of Christ. The service will be live streamed on the MRCC YouTube channel where it will also be available to watch later.