Ellen T. Cheeks

Ellen T. Cheeks departed this life on Friday, September 18, 2020, at Maryview Medical Center. She was born on February 8, 1945 in Cheriton, Virginia. She was the first born child of Mermon Cheeks and Rowena Grant Cheeks. Ellen was educated in Portsmouth Public Schools, and after high school she attended Portsmouth Business College. As a teenager, Ellen made the decision to give her life to Jesus Christ and joined Noble Street Baptist Church. Ellen was known as a hard worker. In addition to giving 30 years of Civil Service to the Navy; she worked more than 25 years as an Avon Representative; over 22 years at Brentlox//Carrington Place/Greenbrier Regional Medical Center; over 20 years as a Licensed Notary Public; over 17 years for Global Spectrum (Event Staffing) at Old Dominion University; over 10 years at the Jackson-Hewitt Tax Center; and numerous years at WAVY TV 10 and WTAR 3. In the community, Ellen served as an Officer of Election for the City of Portsmouth for more than 17 years, supporting the Loving Incarcerated Person’s (L.I.P.S.) ministry, and supporting the Hampton Roads City Jail. Her passion was shopping for a “bargain;” making baskets; caring for the elderly; assisting the less fortunate; and supporting her beloved Dallas Cowboys. In her neighborhood, Ellen served as the self-appointed Neighborhood Watch, where she watched over her neighbor’s homes and called them when she saw anything abnormal. In addition to her familial roles, Ellen served as the host for Cowboys and NBA watch parties; one of the hosts for holiday events; the Family Motel 6; the Cheeks-Lawrence family Uber driver; the grab-n-go Avon shop; and the family tax specialists. She leaves to cherish her memory: her son Michael A. Cheeks (Yolanda) of New Orleans, Louisiana; her daughter Charlene A. Cheeks of Portsmouth, Virginia; four granddaughters—Erica, Brittany, Cheyenne, and Scout; two grandsons—Maurice and Chad; two great grandchildren—Channing and Cassidy; four sisters—Joyce Glymph of Virginia Beach, Virginia; Brenda Lawrence and Jean Kiah of Portsmouth, Virginia; and Virginia Southhall of Baltimore, Maryland; and a host of other relatives, neighbors, and friends.

Ellen T. Cheeks

February 8, 1945 - September 18, 2020