Cheryl Teresa Richardson Stephenson was born on December 6, 1952, in Richmond, VA.

Cheryl graduated from Matoaca High School in Chesterfield County, VA, and was naturally musically gifted. She made all-state band playing the bass clarinet, played piano, and sang in various choirs. She attended St. Paul's College in Lawrenceville, VA, Virginia State University in Petersburg, and Saint Leo University. She met her husband, Melvin, in high school. They were united in holy matrimony on Sept. 2, 1972, and lived across the United States and Europe with Melvin's career in the U.S. Air Force.

Cheryl was preceded in death by her father, Claiborne T. Richardson. She leaves to cherish her memory: her husband, Melvin Stephenson of Hampton, VA; her children, T. Stephenson (Margaret) of Newport News, VA, and Toneka Michelle of Hampton, VA; her mother, E. Olivia J. Richardson of Springfield, VA; her brother, Claiborne T. Richardson II (Sharon) of Woodbridge, VA; and numerous grandchildren, great-grandchildren, nieces, nephews, in-laws, cousins and other family and friends.

Services will be held 11:00 A.M., Saturday, June 27, 2026, in the Chapel of J. M. Wilkerson Funeral Establishment, Inc., 102 South Avenue, Petersburg, VA, the Rev. Dr. Jeremiah Tillman, eulogist. The interment to follow at Blandford Cemetery.

The family will receive friends from 11:00 A.M. until 2:00 P.M., Friday, June 26, 2026 at the funeral establishment.

J. M. Wilkerson Funeral Establishment, Inc., 102 South Avenue, Petersburg, VA, (804) 732-8911, www.jmwilkersonsince1874.com. Watch the funeral services live online on our J. M. Wilkerson Funeral Establishment, Inc. Facebook page or click here to view: https://vimeo.com/event/6020161?fl=so&fe=fs