Cheryl Jackson Tyler went home to Glory on September 15, 2018. She was born on October 24, 1964 in Atlanta, GA to Eric R. Jackson and Celestine C. Jackson. Cheryl was raised in a Christian family, and she accepted the Lord Jesus Christ as her personal Lord and Savior at an early age and was baptized on February 16, 1972 at Star of Bethlehem Baptist Church by Rev. Frederick S. Jones. She loved school as a child and was a perennial honor student. After some family occupation relocations from the Dale City, VA area, she completed her formal secondary education at Menchville High School in Newport News, VA where she graduated with honors and was inducted into the National Honor Society. She received early admission acceptance to the University of Virginia and studied Mechanical Engineering. She later transferred to Old Dominion University and earned her Bachelor of Science and Master of Science degrees in Mechanical Engineering.
While a student at Old Dominion University, Cheryl joined the Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc., and, as fate would have it, that she would also meet her future husband and the love of her life Virgil Orlando Tyler while an undergraduate and graduate student in the Department of Mechanical Engineering. After a courting friendship of four years, they joined in matrimony on September 26, 1992 at First Baptist Church Denbigh in Newport News, VA and resided there before later moving to the Northern VA area. From their union, they have one son Virgil Orlando Tyler, Jr. who is 17 years old. They celebrate 26 years of marriage and 30 years as best friends.
Cheryl was a very giving person, a loving mother and a wonderful and playful wife. Her passion was for children, and she enjoyed her teaching ministry in children's church, Sunday school and Young Adult's and Women's bible studies. She was active early on with her Sorority's "Ivy Vines" organization after graduation from college in which she mentored young girls for preparation for the realities of college and life in general. She loved serving in the DIVAS' ministry at her home Church the Dale City Christian Church, Cathedral of Praise where she provided similar mentoring or coaching for young Christian ladies. One of her strongest convictions for ministry surfaced for the little girls in Kenya Africa. She led the task of envisioning "Pillow Case Dresses" for hundreds or as many dresses as possible to be made and sent to the Kenya Mission field from her home church. Many co-labored and joined her efforts to complete the tall task of converting gently worn pillow cases into fashionable dresses for the girls.
After a rewarding career with NASA Langley, Hampton VA as a Mechanical Engineer, Cheryl joined her husband Virgil Tyler Sr. with some coaching at the United States Patent & Trademark Office (Department of Commerce) as a Junior Patent Examiner. She quickly rose through the ranks as a Primary Examiner, Supervisory Patent Examiner, and a Group Director where she directed USPTO's affairs with over 400 Patent Examiners under her supervision. Wherever Cheryl went and whoever she met, she had this peculiar way about her that ultimately resulted in her becoming a part of your life, because she took special interest in your needs whether personal or professional (even when you thought you had it altogether). One thing is sure. You could always trust and depend on Cheryl to do what she said and more. Cheryl was a proverbial virtuous woman rising early (4:30 am) to go to work consistently for nearly 30 years to provide not only for the needs of herself and family but for the needs of others (Prov. 31:10-31). She was our Angel, and will be sorely missed. However, we have the comfort in knowing that G.R.A.C.E (God's Riches At Christ's Expense) got her according to John 10:28-29.
Cheryl leaves to cherish her memories and love her husband Elder Virgil Orlando Tyler, son Virgil Orlando Tyler, Jr., father Eric R. Jackson, Sr., mother Celestine C. Jackson, brother Eric R. Jackson, Jr. (wife Ellen, nieces Selena and Karina), the Tyler family (in-laws), numerous relatives (including those from Appomattox and Meherrin VA –The Little Country Church –Springfield Baptist), friends, and NASA and USPTO colleagues.
Her favorite scripture memory verses are I Corinthians 10:13 and Ephesians 4:6.To God be the Glory!