Cherry Todd of Hickory, MS, (who was currently residing at The Preserve at Meridian) was born in Omaha, Texas, on November 18, 1942, to Ernest Demois Rivers and Verna Havis McElwee Rivers. With family members by her side, she passed away peacefully on Sunday, July 27, 2025. Cherry is survived by two sons, Joseph (Joe) Hillman of Hickory and Kenneth (Kenny) Hillman of Newton, MS, one sister, Sandy Rivers Weeks of Long Beach, MS, one granddaughter, three grandsons, seven great grandchildren, and other family members. She was preceded in death by her father, mother, and one grandson.

Cherry was a graduate of Beulah Hubbard (Little Rock, MS) High School. She had an AA degree (1970) from Meridian Junior College and a BS degree (1977) from William Carey College (graduated with honors). Her major for both degrees was nursing. In college, she was a member of Phi Theta Kappa (chapter president), Delta Psi Omega (chapter vice president) and Student Nurses Association (local, district, state, and national levels, holding multiple officer positions at the local chapter).

Before ensuing her long career in nursing, Cherry worked at various secretarial jobs in the Meridian area. Her nursing career began in early 1974 as an L.P.N. instructor at Meridian Junior College. She went on to hold positions of clinical instructor (Matty Hersee School of Nursing), assistant director of nursing services (Baton Rouge General Hospital) part time staff nurse (Kimberly Nurses Service, Denver), nurse supervisor (University of Colorado Medical Center), home health nurse (Riley Memorial Hospital, Meridian), and staff nurse (Matty Hersee, Anderson Regional Hospital, and New Orleans General Hospital) She retired from East Mississippi State Hospital November 2004.

Throughout the years, Cherry treasured spending time with her family. Reading was the one hobby about which she was most passionate. Other hobbies included swimming (early years), fishing, gardening and traveling. Additionally, she loved music and dancing. Cherry, who had a wonderful sense of humor, always enjoyed being the life of any party!

Cherry will be greatly missed by her family and friends.