She was born to the late Thomas and Bertha Taylor, November 2, 1946, in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Cheryl graduated from John M. Clayton School in Frankford, Delaware in 1964 and studied at Beebe Hospital School of Nursing in Lewes, Delaware before her marriage.
She married John Rickards on June 7, 1966, and they settled in Fairfax in 1979 to raise their children after John’s active service in the U.S. Navy ended. Cheryl is survived by her husband and two children: John (Elisabeth) Rickards Jr., of Burke; and Michele Whaley, of Greenville, North Carolina. She is also survived by three grandchildren: Kathryn Rickards of Falls Church; Taylor (Bryce) Fleming of Greenville, North Carolina; and Thomas Rickards of Redwood City, California.
With her deep, abiding faith in Jesus, Cheryl dedicated her life to the service of others, most notably for over 50 years as an employee and volunteer for the Navy-Marine Corps Relief Society (NMCRS) in several of its offices. She served as Director of their Bethesda branch for 18 years and received the Meritorious Civilian Service Award upon her retirement. In 2007, Cheryl received the President’s Volunteer Service Award for her work with the United Service Organizations (USO). She became the fifth recipient of the Grace Glenwood Higginson Lifetime Achievement Award in 2014 for her continued work as an NMCRS volunteer. She spent over 20 years volunteering for the National Rifle Association (NRA) by providing administrative support at the National Matches at Camp Perry, the Bianchi Cup, and Collegiate Championships. She also regularly volunteered for the Honor Flight Network and supported NC Packs 4 Patriots.
Cheryl was immensely proud of her family, and she leaves behind nothing but beautiful memories and a fine, godly example of Christian kindness and generosity. She firmly believed each day is a gift which we should use to show and tell others of our love for them.
Interment will take place at a later date at Arlington National Cemetery. The family requests that donations be made in support of Navy-Marine Corps Relief, the USO, Honor Flights, and NC Packs 4 Patriots in lieu of sending flowers and gifts; see the links below.
SHARE OBITUARY
v.1.11.0