Cheri Wickens

Cheri Wickens, age 46, lost her battle to cancer at Baptist Hospital on October 5, 2012. The cause was a rare form of sarcoma.\ \ Born in 1966 in California, to Fredonyah Sale, she attended Rosa Scott M.S. and Madison-Ridgeland H.S. from which she graduated in 1984. She attended U. of Southern Mississippi majoring in Fashion and Merchandising. On March 19, 1994, she married David Wickens.\ \ She lived in Florence, MS and worked in Marketing at Barlow & Plunkett firm until 1997. Later she went onto work for five years as a pre-school teacher at Marvin's United Methodist Church.\ \ Cheri was a devoted member of First Baptist Church Florence.\ \ Cheri will be especially remembered for her intense fight to defeat cancer. She was a phenomenal inspiration to several people in Florence and away from her community. Her faith in God was an immense comfort to her during her fight. Even to the end she was determined to defeat her cancer. \ Survivors include David Wickens, Faith Bush, Alexis Wickens, Emma Wickens, D.J. Wickens all of Florence. Bo Hudson (Mandy), Tanner and Abby of Madison, Melodie Clark, Cameron and Taylor of Terry, Don (Shelley) Wickens of McComb, Carolyn Wickens of Jackson, Drew (Nada) Wickens of Lebanon. Other survivors include several aunts, uncles and cousins. Cheri was preceded in death by her mother Freddie Sale and her oldest son, Michael Bush.\ \ Funeral services will be held on Tuesday, October 9, 2012 at 1:00pm at First Baptist Church Florence, E. Main Street, Florence, MS 39073. Burial will be at Garden of Memories, 2576 U. S. Hwy 49 South, Florence, MS following the church service. Relatives and friends are welcome at First Baptist Church Florence, E. Main Street, Florence, MS 39073 for visitation on Monday, October 8, 2012 from 5:00pm to 8:00pm and Tuesday, October 9, 2012, 11:30 to 1pm.\ \ Memorial contributions are welcome at the First Baptist Church Florence, P.O. Box 97, Florence, MS 39073, memo: Cheri Wickens.\ \ Thanks to the many members of First Baptist Church Florence for their support of Cheri and the family during these last years and months. Also, thank you to the nursing staff of the Oncology Floor of Baptist Hospital, Jackson, MS for their care and compassion to Cheri and the family.\