SHERYL SIMPSON

Sheryl Denise Johnson Simpson was a devoted mother, grandmother, sister & friend.
She was born in Shreveport, Louisiana, and the Lord blessed her mother and father Alice Marie Coleman & J. C. Johnson with her sunrise on October 15, 1957.

Just a few years later, Sheryl's mother relocated the family to Los Angeles, Ca, where she would attend school and ultimately graduate from Washington Preparatory High School.

Sheryl's mother made sure to teach her children about the importance of a relationship with God and she took these lessons seriously. She dedicated her life to the Lord at a young age, and cherished the lessons she learned in church. No matter where she found herself in life, she had faith in God to see her through any situation.

As a child, Sheryl loved to snack on sweets, especially different kinds of cookies. It was for this reason she was given the nickname Cookie by family and loved ones. Her love for cookies and sweets continued on into adulthood, and you could always catch her with a snack tucked away in her purse.

Anyone who had the pleasure of knowing Cookie, knew she could be as stubborn as an ox, but they also knew the way she loved you was all the way and with her all. She was very family oriented and loved life as well as being with her two grandchildren, Zariah and Noah, whom she spoke of fondly and frequently. She loved spending time with family and friends and did so as much as she could.

Sheryl was considerate and thoughtful, stubborn but kind, and thoroughly enjoyed arts & crafts. She loved always painting her nails some different shade of purple and putting on her jewelry, coloring and listening to music. Especially oldies, where she'd snap her fingers and sway, and holler out the occasional, 'This my Jam.' then nod and say, 'That part right there.'

She loved having a home cooked meal and didn't hesitate to tell you when it was good. A few of her favorite sayings when she was enjoying a good homemade meal were: "Yeah, you did that, that's jamming; and you put both your feet in that." And, of course, you know it came with her happy dance.

Sheryl was employed at Dare U to Care Drug & Alcohol Treatment Program. While working there, she attended classes, and graduated from Charles R. Drew University with a SUD Couseling Certification in 2003. She was very proud of this accomplishment because working with people in recovery was something that 'Cookie' absolutely loved doing.

In the weeks prior to her passing, Sheryl shared with family her desire to rededicate her life to Christ and to get baptized. Although she was unable to make it to church for her baptism, she was able to have her baptism performed at her bedside for her wishes to be fullfilled.

Sheryl was proceeded in death by her mother, Alice Marie Coleman, her father, J.C. Johnson & her sister, Paula Johnson.
She is survived by her loving daughter, Alica Avege and Son-in-Law, Eli Avege. Her two grandchildren, Zariah and Noah, her four sisters, Diane Johnson, Cynthia Montgomery, Sandra Slater, Kimberly Slater, her nieces and nephews, great nieces and nephews, and a host of family and friends.

On April 11th, the Lord took Sheryl's hand and said "Come, my good and faithful servant. You have earned your resting place." And with this she was granted her peace. She will be dearly and sweetly missed. Rest well, Ma'am.

"May the winds of heaven blow softly and whisper in your ear how much we love and miss you and wish that you were here. You may be gone from our sight, but you are never gone from our hearts."