Cheryl Ann Olsen

Cheryl Ann Olsen, born July 16, 1948 in Corvallis, Oregon to Joseph Kent and Phyllis Lockwood Olsen, passed away on March 5, 2012. Cheryl had an active childhood; her father’s occupation took her and her family to live in Iran from 1959-61. Cheryl then moved to El Paso, TX in 1961 before settling in Ocean Springs, MS where she graduated from Ocean Springs High School in 1966. She worked for and attended Mississippi State University until 1969. In 1967 she married John L. Hunter and together they bore three children, John Leslie Hunter II, Lee J. Hunter, and Kristy Hunter Blackmon. Cheryl pursued her love of caregiving and obtained her Associate Degree of Nursing from Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College in 1986. As a young woman, Cheryl was active in the Masonic organization, Rainbows and later joined her parents as a member of the Eastern Star. She was also a member of St. John’s Episcopal Church in Ocean Springs, MS. Cheryl also had an indescribable love for animals and would welcome any four-legged creature into her home. She is preceded in death by her son, John Leslie Hunter II and her mother, Phyllis Olsen. Survivors include her beloved children, Lee (Kelly) Hunter and Kristy Hunter Blackmon; daughter-in-law, Amanda Hunter; her grandchildren, Madison Hunter, Emma Hunter, Luke Hunter, Lainie Belle Hunter, and Lauren Kate Hunter; her father, Joseph K. Olsen whom she dearly loved; a brother, Kent (Julia) Olsen; a niece, Laura (Mike) Albritton; and many more loved ones and friends. The family would like to extend a special thank you to Nancy Powers who Cheryl loved dearly and for her great compassion in her final days. A memorial service will be held at 12 noon on Friday, March 9, 2012 at St. John’s Episcopal Church in Ocean Springs, MS. There will be a reception in the parish hall following the service. In lieu of flowers the family would requests donations be made to the Jackson County Animal Shelter. The Ocean Springs Chapel of Bradford O'Keefe Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.