[Funeral Program for Katie Cherry, June 7, 2002] Page: 2 of 4
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February 29,1920- Jugtk§ 1, 2@@2
Katie MayDell Atwood Dukes Cherry was born in Victoria, Texas to Robert (Bob) Sylvester Dukes and Katie
Mae Atwood Dukes. MayDelT began playing the piano at the age ofthree. Her musical talents were
discovered by local Catholic Sisters wno heardTier brilliant virtuosity fr om their Convent nearby .Upon visiting
the home, the Sisters discovered that the music was being p ayed by a 5 year old. Little MgyDen was then
deemed a child prodigy and began receiving advanced lessons at the Convent. It was not long before.the
town of Victoria and surrounding areas marveled at her uncanny abilities on the keyboard. At this time
everyone called her "Red Girl" because of her striking blue eyes and flaming red hair.
She accepted Christ at an early age and became a member of Palestine Baptist Church in Victoria Texas.
After graduating from Gross High School MayDell was so advanced in her musical abilities
ie Music Department staff who worked diligently with her with plans otprpducing a cc.. _ .
pianist. Being the youngest music major on campus, she was lovingly called "Baby Dukes . Shortly after
her Sophomore year recital, MayDell s studies at Tuskegee were interrupted by the death of her father. She
returned home but continued to excite the community playing classical, sacred and popular music: she was
ried Bennie Thomas Cherro, then an enterprising beraeant wno was singing in
lives would blossom and be fruitfully blessed, with uod as their center. As a
, ad extensively, sometimes visiting the birth places of theveiv classical composers
whose music she had played so skillfully from childhood. During this period Maydell still continued her quest
for music excellence, completing one degree after another with studies at Our Lady of the Lake University,
the University of Marvland. the University of the Incarnate Word, and Antioch University. One of her proudest
was
inspired to compose music, producing songs sucn as, "Haye you 1 ried Jesus Lateiyr, ~ leu UTners vvnat Jesus
Can Do", "Someone to Depend On" and "Storms In Your Life", which was recently introduced by a local vocal
artist, Leslie Foster. ,
Dr. Cherry taught in Guam, Germany and in the San Antonio Independent School District for a combination
of 30 years. She wasknown to be a uniquely enthusiastic teacher in the classroom, and at one time she also
supervised the music of 16 schools in that district. Her composition of music extended to the school district
as she penned songs which became part of the SAISD music curriculum.
One of her compositions, "If s So Nice To Be Black", written to ensure ethnic pride, was performed by a choir
of more than 300 children of "all ethnic groups" at a SAISD music festival at Alamo Stadium. Dr. Cherry
chaired the Music Department of Guadalupe Theological Seminary, was Secretary for the State Congress
of Christian Workers' Music Department, and was director of Music for the Mt. Zion District Association (for
which her husband, Rev. Dr. B.T. Cherry is Moderator). She privately taught voice, piano, and organ and is
known to have an anointing in her music ministry, extracting music skills from many who would have thought
it impossible. Her students may be found throughout fne city, state, and nation. Dr. Cherry facilitated
countless workshops and seminars as a musicologist and she was committed to community service in San
Antonio. She embraced being a minister's wife ancfbeing in noteworthy organizations such as Alpha Kappa
Alpha Sorority, Inc., The Bowaen Chapter of Business and Professional Women and manv other social, civic
and educational organizations. At the time of her passing, she was a member of Zion Star Missionary Baptist
Church, Rev. 0. L. McNary, Pastor. Besides her position as Music Director of the Sanctuary Choir, she served
with the Ministers and Deacons Wives and Mission.
On June 1, "Mama Dear",
be with God, whom '
family and loved ones
close to her, went peacefully home to
_.wished, she was at home amidst her
be missed by many. The San Antonio music
Gary Givens to recognize her as such were
•beautiful memories her devoted husband
of 58 years. Rev. Dr. Bennie Thomas Cherry, four loving children, Allen Robert (Algereida), Bennie Charles
Monica), Linda Darnell and Ronald Duane (Lisa), all ot San Antonio, Texas, one brother, Elijah Sylvester
Dukes, two cousins, Deloris Posey of Kerrville, TX. and Carolyn Richard of Phoenix, AZ., eleven grandchildren,
ten great-grandchildren, one godson, Joseph Foley and a host of loving relatives and dear triends.
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[Funeral Program for Katie Cherry, June 7, 2002], pamphlet, June 7, 2002; (https://texashistory.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metapth225926/m1/2/?q=Lamar+University: accessed June 6, 2024), University of North Texas Libraries, The Portal to Texas History, https://texashistory.unt.edu; crediting San Antonio Public Library.