Criswell Funeral Home
Ada, Pontotoc Co, OK
(permission granted)

Cheryl Jeanne Melton passed away peacefully on January 9, 2025, at her home in Ada, Oklahoma. She was born September 1, 1944, in Pauls Valley and lived her life through the love of family and friends. She was always a bright light in the room; the person people would gravitate towards for guidance, comfort, encouragement, and laughter.

She devoted her career in education to guiding her students with patience and wisdom. She gave them more than lessons; she gave them a part of her heart, always attempting to inspire them to be better.

She spent 9 years at Wynnewood High School and 32 years at Vanoss Public School. During her career she taught business classes, sponsored yearbooks and counseled her students. After obtaining her Masters at OU, she became the Vanoss Elementary School Principal and retired from being the first female superintendent in Pontotoc County. She was respected and loved by her co-workers, students, and community.

After retiring, she continued to lead a full life through simple pleasures like cooking, entertaining, keeping an active social life, and traveling to see as much of the world as possible. She had a close circle of family and friends who loved traveling. She would research and prepare an extensive itinerary for each of her trips so all would get the most from their time together exploring their destination and tasting the local cuisine. Her favorite annual trips were New York City and Hawaii.

Cheryl was an amazing woman. Her commitment to family and friendship will serve as a beautiful example of a life lived to the fullest, creating a legacy that will always be remembered by those she touched.

A graveside service is being held at Green Hill Cemetery in Lindsay at 10:00 a.m. on Tuesday, January 14, 2025.