Cheryl Ann Saunders Mott

On January 29, 2018 Cheryl gave in to the inevitable and joined her parents, Neil and Shirley McAllister as well as her brother Neil Henry McAllister in their exploration of the unknown and unknowable.

A gulf coast native, Cheryl was born in Biloxi, Mississippi and reared in various gulf coast cities from Galveston, Texas to Ocean Springs, Mississippi, where she graduated from high school.

Cheryl was retired from Delgado Community College, where she was a professor in the English department and director of the Writing Center, which she helped to establish at the college.

Nearly penniless after leaving an unsuccessful early marriage, she set out on a journey which led her to a 34-year career in academia. Her proudest achievement was putting herself though two college degrees while raising her son. While working as an editor at the University of Southern Mississippi, she met her second husband, with whom she authored a book, a filmography used for years in a number of communication classes.

A relocation to the New Orleans area to work on a Ph.D. eventually led her to her 27-year plus career at Delgado. Her love of her subject and of helping her students succeed made for a fulfilling career. Upon retirement, she focused on family and hobbies, travel, reading, astrology (a lifetime passion), and genealogy.

She is survived by her son Thomas (Kaori) and two grandchildren, Kate and Liam, as well as by her beloved partner in life, Bernard. Also surviving, 3 siblings, John McAllister (Peggy); Pamela McAllister (Al); Tricia McAllister Payne (George); and 5 nieces and nephews: Patrick and Rachel Payne, Neil Henry McAllister IV and Nicole McAllister, as well as 3 great nieces and nephews, Elexis, Evanna, and Neil Henry McAllister V.