Nita D. Cherry

Nita D. Cherry, 91, of Bella Vista, Ark., passed away in Rogers, Ark., on April 6, 2019. She was born on June 4, 1927, in Lovington, Ill., to Willis and Fern Dawson. Nita is preceded in death by her husband of 54 years, Richard Keith Cherry; parents, Willis and Fern Dawson; brothers, Kent E. Dawson and Dean H. Dawson, and her sister Ellen D. Thomas. Survivors include one son and daughter-in-law, Steve Cherry and Karen Cherry of Bentonville, Ark.; two grandchildren, Kayla Rose Cherry and Dalton Richard Cherry, both of Bentonville and two sisters-in-law, Peg Dawson and Bettye Dawson. After graduating from Illinois State University in Normal, Ill., she dedicated herself to the field of education as a teacher of Business Education at Pana High School, in Pana Ill. It was there that she met her beloved husband Richard "Dick" Cherry. She and her family moved to Crystal Lake in the 1950s where she continued her dedication to teaching until her retirement from School District 47, Crystal Lake, Ill. She and her family moved to Bella Vista in the late 1980s where she lived until her and her husband's passing. Nita loved her family and liked to travel. She was adored by all that knew her for her kind heart and classy demeanor. Memorials may be made to the Bella Vista Community Church in Bella Vista, Ark. Memorial Services will be held at McMullen-Young Funeral Home in Lovington, Ill., on Saturday, April 20 at 11 a.m. Burial to follow at Keller Cemetery, Lovington, Ill. Online condolences may be made at www.funeralmation.com.