Thursday, July 31, 2014

Sister Spotlight: Cindy Cherry

Sister Cindy Cherry has lived in Riverton for four years, but with the new ward boundary changes, she has been in our ward for 3 weeks. She is the oldest child in her family, having two brothers and three sisters. She was born in Florence, Alabama. Since her father had been in the Navy, they moved around almost every year, being in most of the United States. During her high school years, Cindy lived in El Sereno, California (the Lost Angeles area) where there were lots of problems with gangs. Cindy was always scared going to school and glad to be home safe when school was over.

With missionaries knocking on her door when she was 16 years old, Cindy liked what she heard, enjoyed the spirit they brought into her home, and in telling her mom who was Catholic that she would like to invite them back, her mom said, “If it makes you happy, Cindy, then invite them back.” Cindy was baptized a few months later. She lost her closest friend when her mom died at 53 years old when Cindy was 29 years old. She still misses her terribly!

Cindy met her husband when he was serving a mission in the town where she was living. After his mission, he came back for her and they were married in the Los Angeles temple. They have four children: two sons who live with their families in Herriman, one son with his family in Heber City, and one daughter, Dani, who is living with her. Cindy loves her seven grandchildren ranging from the ages of 7 months old to 18 years old. 

Her hobbies and talents are crocheting, making Christmas ornaments, and crafts. Her favorite restaurant is Los Hermanos and her guilty pleasure is Belgium shell shaped Chocolates. She loves sea shells and has them all around her home.

Ten years ago Cindy started working at Church Headquarters at the Joseph Smith building in the Family History department. She had to quit her job and was put on permanent disability since she is suffering from nuropathy from her both knees to her feet having no feeling in either of them. She gets around in her motorized wheelchair. 

Cindy is such a compassionate person with a wonderful sense of humor. She was told what a happy person she is living in her wheelchair. Her answer was “You don’t have to look too far to see people a lot worse.” And...”Life’s a choice. You can make it be crappy or make it joyful. I prefer to live it joyfully!” 

To know you is to love you, Cindy! We are glad that you are now in our ward!

Sister Spotlight: Darlene (Dolly) Kellogg

Here is the spotlight for Sister Darlene (Dolly) Kellogg. Unfortunately, she moved out of the ward recently, but several of you got to meet her and we thought you'd like to know more about her. Thanks so much to Sister Mandy Marquardson for getting to know Dolly and writing this up for us! 

Dolly was born on August 28 in San Francisco, California. When the nurse brought her to her mother, she said, "Here is your little Dolly" (that is how she got her nick name).

Her father was in the military, so she spent a number of years in foreign countries, like Germany and the Philippines. Her family moved to Boise, Idaho, where she graduated high school. It was in Idaho that she was Queen for the Idaho, Oregon, Nevada Appaloosa Association and rode bareback broncs and bulls in rodeos. 

Her husband Bob was her secret high school sweetheart. They met in a graveyard in Idaho and were married five weeks later. She joined the church soon after they were married. They have nine children together and have been married over 50 years. During that time they have lived in over 23 places, mostly due to Bob’s job as a ranch manager. Dolly loves horses as well as all animals. Her favorite place to live was on a ranch in Wyoming, where she had an array of animals. She loved to go camping on horseback in the mountains with pack horses.