Cheryl M. Kegley

1948 - 2025

Our fierce warrior, Cheryl M. Kegley, 77, of Rome, was called home to God on Sunday, October 5, 2025 while vacationing in Myrtle Beach, SC.  For 12 long years she fought valiantly with Multiple Myeloma, never complaining or questioning. 

Cheryl was born on September 17, 1948 in Rome, NY.  She was one of six children born to Larry and Elizabeth LaRose Spoon.  Cheryl spent 42 years working as Chief Library Clerk at Jervis Public Library.  She did not think of retirement as a time of rest, but rather, a time to give back.  Cheryl volunteered at Rome Hospital as a Rosewood Twig.  She loved working in the gift shop with her friends.  Cheryl also volunteered at Copper City Community Connection (Ava Dorfman) and met many new friends there. Cheryl even ended up with a part time job at JCPenney because the manager caught her constantly straightening the displays as a customer.  Probably her favorite job was being an usher at Turning Stone Casino.  She loved working all the events.  The highlight of her time there was to escort Bobby Vinton off stage into the crowd. 

Cheryl loved to visit Turning Stone and play the slots.  She also enjoyed sitting in her yellow rocking chair on the front porch and reading or just enjoying the sunshine.  Cheryl’s greatest passion was her family.  She split her time between Rome and Georgia to watch her grandsons play football, lacrosse, and track. They were her pride and joy. 

Through her battle, Cheryl taught us all about perseverance, faith, and acceptance.  She never gave up, she would just tell everyone she was “fine” and moved on.  She was grounded in her faith and never questioned God’s plan for her.  And, she accepted her role on this Earth and lived it with grace.

Cheryl is survived by her husband of 57 years Thomas Kegley and her daughters, Dawn Dunn (Chris Grassl) and Cindy and Tony Watkins.  She is also survived by three Grandsons who were the light of her life, Tommy Dunn, Ty Watkins, and Will Watkins.  Siblings,  Mary (Chris) Irvine and Timothy (Laurie) Spoon, and Sisters-in law Nancy, Seda, Sandy Spoon and Judy (Phil) Brown.  Cheryl had many nieces and nephews that she loved very much.  She is also survived by too many special friends to name.  Cheryl was predeceased by her parents Larry and Elizabeth Spoon, her in-laws Emil and Corrine Kegley, and brothers, Bill, Dave, and Paul Spoon. 

A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Tuesday, October 14, 2025 at 11:00 a.m., at St. John the Baptist Church, 210 E. Dominick St.  Rome, NY.  Family and friends may call at the Nicholas J. Bush Funeral Home, Inc., on Monday, October 13, 2025 from 5-7 p.m.  Burial will be in St. John the Baptist Cemetery.

Please consider a memorial contribution in Cheryl’s name to a charity of one’s choice. 

To offer online condolences, please visit www. njbushfuneralhome.com.