Margaret Jean Cheshier (née Hughes) was born in Santa Monica, California on February 14, 1944, and died in Dallas, Texas on December 8, 2023, surrounded by loved ones. How fitting it is that she was born on Valentine's Day, since there is not a soul who has walked this earth more full of love than our Jeannie!

Jeannie is preceded in death by her parents, Tom and Ruth Hughes, her sister, Barbara Howard, and her brother, Don Hughes. She is survived by her adoring husband and dance partner of 45 years Jim Cheshier, stepdaughter Deborah Cheshier, nieces Kathy Crisp (Greg), Kelly Fagan (Steve), Amber Hughes, and Autumn Randles (Zack), and sister-in-law Danell Hughes. Jeannie had a special bond with her great-nephews, Tommy and Jimmy Crisp, nurturing and supporting them as a grandmother would. She also leaves behind five grandchildren and several great grandchildren and great nieces and nephews.

Countless others loved her and will miss her immensely. She adored her First Baptist Church Lancaster Sunday School class, Antique Club, friends, and neighbors. Jean never met a stranger and had a way of making everyone she touched feel her joy and zest for life with her bright smile and singsong greeting, "Well, hello there!"

Jean was an adventurous soul and a woman of many talents. She was a high school teacher, entrepreneur, self-employed property owner, motorcycle rider, sports car driver, antiques aficionado, furniture refinisher, home designer, landscaping/gardening expert, handywoman, traveler, and creative thinker. If you've ever visited Jeannie and Jim's house, you know she could make something special out of ANYTHING! Got sneakers? Plant flowers in them. Got old windows? Put them together and make a mini greenhouse. Got an antique gas pump? Put it in the living room and call it décor. Got some old broken pottery? Make a bird bath out of it.

It is impossible to sum up who Jeannie was in words. She was a wife, aunt, mother-figure, friend, and so much more. Most importantly, she was a Christian and she left this earth with no doubt about where she was going. Jeannie exuded joy, energy, kindness, and love. Her laugh was infectious, and her energy boundless. The impact she made on the lives she touched is immeasurable, as is the love that she gave and received. Our world is not the same without her in it, but we know that we will meet again one day when God calls us home.

The family will receive friends from 12:00 pm - 1:00 pm on Tuesday, December 19, 2023, at Byrum Funeral Home with the celebration of Jean's life to be held at graveside in Edgewood Cemetery at 1:30 pm.

Jean's family is hosting a reception after the funeral. Friends and family will gather at the Cheshier home, 739 S. Dallas Avenue, directly following the graveside service until 4:30 pm. Light refreshments will be served.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made in Jean's name to the SPCA.