Cheryl Louise Love-Queen peacefully transitioned on March 13, surrounded in her last days by her loved ones just outside of her hometown of Los Angeles, California. She was 75 years old.
Her family will hold a memorial on Friday, April 12, at 11 a.m., at Magic Johnson Park, 905 E. El Segundo Blvd., in the Willowbrook district of Los Angeles. To send condolences, flowers and donations in her honor, message [email protected]
Born on July 29, 1948, to Gladys and Louis Love, Cheryl’s deep connection to entrepreneurship, youth and the African American community was evident in her passions and endeavors.
Cheryl was a diligent student at Regina Caeli High School, graduating in the class of 1966. She would go on to take classes at Pepperdine, UCLA and eventually earn a doctorate from an online university, a testament to her love of knowledge and desire to contribute to the world around her.
Cheryl’s career as an entrepreneur began in the late 1970s as a shop owner in Tampa, Florida. She would go on to found Creative Ark in 1988 where she helped expand local educators’ approach to working with youth.
Cheryl’s life was anchored in Los Angeles. She regularly volunteered at Bilbrew Library, Carson Christian k-12 school, on local policy boards, community colleges, and in the Willowbrook neighborhood.
Cheryl was twice married, bringing forth three children and one grandchild.
An ardent gardener, antique collector and artist, Cheryl found peace in continuing her mother’s tradition of growing flowers and fruit in the backyard of the family home, the same house she would raise her three children in. Cheryl’s other joys included listening to live jazz music and engaging in local repositories of cultural and intellectual significance like museums, libraries and Black owned bookstores around LA.
Cheryl’s life will continue to have an impact in the hearts and minds of those who knew her. As we celebrate Cheryl’s life, we carry with us her love for others, the arts and her unshakeable belief in the transformative power of education.
Her family’s message is, “Rest in power, beloved Cheryl. The magnitude of your spirit continues to reach all who had the honor of knowing you. A beam of light forever shining around those whose lives you touched, a lighthouse of love forever guiding us towards learning, growth and expansion of our humanity, a life of determined strength and an example to us all.”
