Ms. Cheryl Geneva Lawrence , affectionately known as "Cookie" was born on August 16, 1961 in East St. Louis, IL to parents Leonard Lawrence and Maybelle Lawrence. She was number six amongst eight children.

Cookie confessed a hope in Christ at an early age and was baptized at St. Matthews Baptist Church at 1801 Wilford in East St. Louis, IL.

She attended school in District #189 and graduated from Lincoln Senior High School. She was runner-up as the Prom Queen and ran track alongside Jackie Joyner Kersee. Cookie's athletic abilities in basketball and track earned her a scholarship to University of Illinois in Champaign, IL.

Cookie had a beautiful voice and would often enter talent shows throughout East St. Louis. She also sang backup with the late Mr. David Dee's Band who sang "Gone Fishing Baby" in her younger days.

In her spare time she listened to old school music. She loved to bake cakes and crochet afghans.

As a single mother, she worked and raised her oldest daughter. Later, Cheryl met and married Mitchell Atley. They had two daughters. They relocated to Detroit, Michigan but later divorced.

Cheryl continued to live in Detroit, Michigan where she raised her children. She worked at Farmer Jacks as a Security Guard. Cookie visited her family a few years ago before traveling back to Michigan.

Recently she traveled to visit her daughter Dalida in Marrietta, GA. After returning home her health started to fail and was hospitalized on April 24, 2024 . Cheryl left this earthly home on April 26, 2024.

To cherish our mother, sister, and aunt's memories are her daughters, Kupheniya Lawrence of Detroit, MI, Dalida Lawrence of Marrietta, GA; granddaughter, Bella Lawrence of Georgia; her sisters, Janice Turner of Granite City, IL, Sharon (Darrell) Robinson of Madison, IL, Karen (Larry) Sanders of Venice, IL, Wyommie (Kevin) Walker of Granite City, IL; brother, James Ballard of Arkansas and god-sisters, Gwendolyn Wagner of Fairview Heights, IL., Josie Willis of Caseyville, IL. Cheryl's legacy will live on in her host of nieces, nephews, cousins and friends.

Preceding her in death, her daughter Angel Lawrence; her parents, Maybelle and Leonard Lawrence; sister, Marilyn Truitt; brother, Barry Quinton Lawrence; nephew, Anthony Ballard; niece, Shantella Truitt; and maternal aunt, Isabelle Prowl.

Cookie's legacy will continue to live on in her host of nieces, nephews, cousins, and other family members.