Cheryl Jean Aylor

Cheryl Jean Aylor departed this earth on Saturday, August 9th at the Foothills Retirement Community in Easley, South Carolina. A graduate of Boston University, the graduate social work program at Virginia Commonwealth University and J.E.B. Stuart High School in Falls Church, Virginia, Cheryl devoted her life to helping others. After graduating from Boston University with a degree in political science, she decided to narrow her professional focus to helping those in need. She first volunteered to help feed the poor at Clarence Jordan’s Koinonia Farm in Americus, Georgia, then completed her Masters in clinical social work at VCU to learn how to help rehabilitate children suffering from the effects of abuse. After setting up a professional practice to accomplish this on Maryland’s Eastern Shore, she studied acting in Washington D.C. and then pursued her acting passion in community theater at Chesapeake College and Salisbury University. She completed her acting career in Chincoteague, Virginia, where she earned rave reviews for her rendition of the lead elder nun role in “Agnes of God.” She said that people on the street in Chincoteague would come up to her and address her by her performance name in the play. Cheryl said jokingly, “I have finally made celebrity status.”

Cheryl later devoted her life to supporting her mother, Jean Aylor, in navigating the aging process in Falls Church. She then moved to Richmond, where she was celebrated for her support of local wildlife, particularly birds, and Richmond’s Quaker “Friends” community. After being diagnosed as memory challenged, she moved to Greenville and then to Easley, South Carolina, where she celebrated life in both the memory and long-term care units of the Presbyterian Foothills Retirement Community. 

A vivacious socializer, Cheryl loved being in the company of friends and family, long walks at the beach, every animal she came in contact with, and every song written by Bob Dylan. 

She is survived by brother: John RB (Denise) Aylor; sister: Joan Aylor Kirby; nieces: Stephanie Schmidt (John) Morrison, Nicole (Dane) Evans, Shellie (Connor) Williams; nephew: Ross (Jena) Aylor; great nieces: Charlotte Morrison, Skylar Aylor, Emilia Evans, and Izzy Williams; great nephews: Casper and Xander Aylor, Oliver and Arlie Evans, Cameron and Collin Morrison, and Jackson Williams --- all of whom loved her. 

A memorial service will be held at a later date in August at the Foothills Retirement Community Presbyterian Church, followed by internment in Easley at Robinson Memorial Gardens.

Visit RobinsonFuneralHomes.com or Robinson Funeral Home & Crematory – Powdersville Road, Easley.