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Theda Cheryl Bray
July 12, 2013
Theda Cheryl Bray,age 54, of Allentown passed away on July 11, 2013, after an extended illness. She was surrounded by friends and family as she went to be with the Lord.
Cheryl was born in Brewton to J.D. and Theda Bray. She was raised in Jay along with her siblings Debbie and Stewart. She graduated from Jay High School in 1976. Cheryl played saxophone in the Jay High School Band and was a member of the color guard. She enjoyed sports and lettered in volleyball. After graduation she attended Troy State University and played in the ‘Sound of the South’ under the direction of Dr. Johnny Long. In the summer of 1977 she was selected as a member of the American Music Ambassadors and toured Europe promoting music and goodwill on behalf of the United States. She later moved to Tallahassee and attended Florida State University. In 1980 she returned to Jay and attended Pensacola Junior College Police Academy. She began her career as a Corrections Officer with the Santa Rosa Sheriff’s Office and attended PJC Corrections Academy. She was promoted to Deputy Sheriff in 1982 and later became an investigator responsible for working Crimes against Children and Sex Crimes. Cheryl returned to the Patrol Division where she worked her way up the ladder. She was a member and supervisor of the first patrol K-9 unit and enjoyed working with K-9 Wesson. In 2010 she retired from the SRSO as a District Lieutenant after serving 28+ years.
Cheryl’s was a diehard DIY-er and an avid woodworker. She read constantly and believed you should learn something new every day. She liked to work in the yard and in her home on numerous projects. She dearly loved her children (pets) Holly, Max and Katie. Cheryl was a member of the Order of the Eastern Star in Jay. She also was instrumental in the creation of ‘Christmas in Allentown’ where each year the public is invited to view over 300,000 Christmas lights.
Cheryl is predeceased by her father, J.D. (Mayor) Bray, her paternal grandparents, H.H. and Alice Bray, her maternal grandparents, Burie and Lucy Warrick. She is survived by her mother Theda W. Bray of Jay, her sister Debbie (Michael) Gilley of Vienna, Austria, her brother Stewart Bray of Jacksonville, Fl. nephew, S.J. Bray and niece, Meghan (Bug) Gilley. She is also survived by her extended family Paulette Allen (best friend), Walker Allen, Glenn (Esther) Allen, Sheila Ware, Burt (Chellie) Allen and their children, her godchildren, Christina, Ryan, Cody, Ashley, Brittany, Garrett, Amber and one great God child Neveah.
Visitation will be held at the Lewis Funeral Home in Milton on Sunday, July 14, 2013, from 5-8 p.m. Funeral services and OES service will be held 11 a.m. Monday, July 15, 2013, at the Jay First Baptist Church with Pastor Danny Carnley officiating. Burial will be at the Jay Cemetery.
Pallbearers will be: Capt. Jim Spencer, (Ret.) Lt. Steve Barnes, (Ret.) Lt. Chuck Sloan, Lt. Joe McCurdy, (Ret.) Sgt. Ed Johnson, and Sgt. John Thompson.
Honorary pallbearers will be past and present deputies, correction officers and staff of the Santa Rose Sheriff’s Office.
Special thanks for excellent care go to Dr. Thomas Meese, Dr. Dissanayake, Dr. Boatwright, Dr. Marcus, Dr. Rinaldi, Dr. Chicola, the Sacred Heart Cancer Center and Gulf Coast Radiation Center.
Flowers are welcome. Cheryl was very fond and active with children. In lieu of flowers, if you would like to donate to the Boy Scouts please send your donations to the attention of of Troop 490 at 5700 Forest Hills Lane, Milton FL 32570.
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One Response to “Theda Cheryl Bray”
This came sooner than we expected because Cheryl was active even though she was sick. Our prayers and love go out to Theda, Debby , Stewart and other members of her family. She was a great OES sister and we will miss her so very much. The Santa Rosa County Sheriff’s family were there with her to the end and that showed their love and concern for Cheryl. May God comfort her family and we will be checking on Theda. Our heartfelt love goes out to her family.
Laura & Eddie