Cheri Christensen

Cheri Johnson Christensen was born May 17, 1953 in Bunkie (Avoyelles Parish) Louisiana. Her parents Solomon and Gertrude Fruga Johnson, brothers Dean, Solomon Jr., Gerald, and sister Maple preceded her in death. Cheri started public school in Bunkie but graduated from Ballou High School in Washington, DC. Interestingly, the turn of events which took she and her brother Don to Washington, DC was mandatory public school integration. Rather than integrate the school in her area, community officials decided that they would not have school at all that year. That's when her parents sent she and Don to live with their sister Maple in Washington, DC. so they could attend school there and not suffer an interruption in their education. It was Cheri's Federal Civil Service career which began in Washington DC that brought her to southern California. One of her most, shall we say, "interesting" jobs was at the Long Beach Navy Yard. She was working for the Department of Housing and Urban Development when she moved from Santa Ana to the San Bernardino area. She later worked as a Claims Representative and served as (American Federation of Government Employees) Union Rep while at the San Bernardino Social Security District Office before retiring. While she was a young child Cheri developed a passion for caring for others and this passion continued post retirement through her establishment of TLC Care (adult residential facilities for the developmentally impaired). Although Cheri left rural Louisiana as a teen, rural Louisiana never left her, For a period of time, Cheri was one of few or perhaps the only Highland resident with chickens running around the yard. She would often leave gatherings early so that she could go home and close the door of the chicken coop to prevent coyotes from killing her chickens during the night. She had to have those brown eggs! Cheri also enjoyed gardening--would plant any type of seed then watch for it to grow. And, like any native Louisianan, Cheri always had the ingredients for and could stir up a pot of gumbo effortlessly. Cheri tried to live life according to the Bible and teachings of Church of Christ. Even when she traveled out of town she would find a Church of Christ so that she could attend their services on Sunday. Until her health failed, Cheri attended Bible study both in Colton and Pasadena. Cheri loved the theatre, reading the Bible, animal, nature, comedy and British TV shows, shopping, all types of food, the sound of the beach (from a hotel room) and spending time with her family. Undoubtedly, Cheri's most joyous occasions were the birth of her son Tony and her granddaughters Katriel and Chinira. Cheri passed away on Saturday, June 27, 2015, at home. Perhaps what we will all miss most is Cheri's infectious laughter. She always had a terrific sense of humor and being around her was "a fun time." Left to cherish so many beautiful memories of Cheri are her husband, LaMon Christensen, son Tony Christensen, granddaughters Katriel and Chinira Christensen, brother Don Johnson (Marcia), sister Betty Johnson, nephews Solomon and Wesley Johnson and Gerald Evans, nieces Sharon, Stephanie, Keisha, Patty "Jean", and Donna Johnson as well as Shana Bass Demby and Dawn Johnson-Scott, a host of other relatives and friends.

Cheri Christensen

May 17, 1953 - June 27, 2015