Cheryl Ann Pulley Smith Byers.  Cheryl passed away on Sunday, August 28, 2016 in Belleville, IL. She was a native of Battle Creek, MI. and a resident of East St. Louis, IL.  While attending high school, Cheryl met and later married Richard Lee Smith. She graduated as a Dean's List awardee with a Bachelor of Science Degree from the School of Fine Arts and Communication at Southern Illinois University in 1992. She was an attentive and caring mother, daughter, sister, aunt, and grand-mother, animal rescuer, home chef, fashionista, avid lover of music and poetry. She was involved in many local clubs and civic organizations during college and after graduation. She worked as a teacher for District 189 in E. St. Louis, IL. for 20 years and retired in 2013. While employed, she received numerous accolades from principals, fellow educators, staff and the special needs children she so lovingly taught. Survivors included her mother, Helen; her children, Andre (Tasha), Atinna, and Corvin; grandchildren, Kenton, Zaria, Jakobe, Dakari and Demetrius; siblings, Clifford (Pete) Jr, Lorenzo, Michael, Jeanette and Monica; along with a host of cousins, nieces, nephews, and friends; and her two beloved pets, Tango and Maya.

Information from Battle Creek Enquirer, Battle Creek, MI., online on Sept. 5, 2016