Cheryl Sue Ward

Our dear Cheryl: the liveliest smile in the room, has triumphed over pain and is at rest.

She took her last breath on September 28, 2024 at her home on High Mesa Rd in Olathe Colorado. Cheryl was 64 years old.

Cheryl Sue Lynch was born on May 27, 1960 in Beech Grove, Indiana to Joann (Nauert) and James Robert (Bob) Lynch. Cheryl was the 5th of 6 children. She had the great fortune of growing up as a country girl who couldn’t wait to get outside and explore. She and her siblings would anxiously wait for the dew on the grass to be dried by the morning sun, signaling that they were free to go play.

In this fashion she spent her childhood and created her innate love for nature. She spoke so fondly of her family home and the stability it provided her.

Cheryl was baptized into the General Assembly and Church of the Firstborn on March 3, 1974. It became the most life-changing year for her as later that spring her father would pass away. 

Bringing new life into her world; Aaron Branham then married her mother in August of 1975. He had 3 children of his own; and together with Joann they loved each child, not as stepparents, but as parents. Cheryl cherished her parents and had a unique bond with them; they were her companions, her cheering squad and her choice of friends.

She had an affinity for design and a sense of style that was as unique as her personality.

Combining her design style with her enthusiasm for landscaping and woodworking led her to plant, build and create gardens, ponds, decks, furniture and homes. She and her Bubba, (Mike) built decks for Trish and Karen. They built pergolas; flipped a home together and built her tiny home from the axles up. Their many hours of laboring side by side led to a friendship that was filled with laughter. There was a constant banter between Mike and Cheryl in which they perfected the balance of humor, sarcasm, and minor embarrassments.

Cheryl had an uncanny ability to make humor out of thin air. It was a God-given talent….

She loved to make people laugh; and she did it well.

Cheryl’s abilities were self-taught out of determination and her strength of character. She faced many disappointments in her life, and yet her radiant smile remained.

Her Grandmother Mam wrote poetry and self-illustrated stories, perhaps that is where Cheryl inherited her love of words. Her communication skills were excellent. Cheryl could ask the deep and important questions; and in the next minute have you laughing to tears.

Cheryl was an outstanding photographer. She had an ability to capture light, shadow, and composition, and she was always willing to stop and capture the moment with a photo.

Her Momma was undoubtedly her best friend. (And Cheryl was the self-proclaimed favorite child.) Cheryl and her mother had a unique Mother Daughter bond that transcended into soul mates; this relationship was the most important one in Cheryl’s life.

She moved many times in her life. She seemed to search hard for ‘home’. She spent her last chapter living just minutes from her sister and was able to enjoy hours of camaraderie and togetherness. It was with her sister beside her that she gained her final ‘home.’

Cheryl is survived by her parents, Aaron and Joann Branham; her sisters, Karen Day; Terri and husband Matt Branham; and Shelly Grady; her brothers, Mike and wife Terri Lynch; Mark and wife Lori Lynch; Kevin Branham; and Aaron Keith Branham. Cheryl did not have children of her own and she treasured her nieces and nephews.

She is proceeded in death by her father, Bob Lynch, her sister Becky Neal, brother-in-law Mike Day, and nephew Little Aaron Grady.

Her title ‘Funniest Person EVER’ is immortalized with her.