Cheryl Ann Harper of Portland, Oregon

May 31, 1955 – November 21, 2022

On the morning of November 21, 2022 Cheryl passed away at Providence Medical Center in Portland, Oregon as a result of heart failure (cardiac arrest). She also had the following existing conditions: stage IV lung cancer, COPD and pneumonia. Cheryl was 67 years old.

Cheryl Harper was born on May 31, 1955 to James and Julia Harper in Portland, Oregon. She grew up in NE Portland and attended Highland school in Portland, Oregon as a child. She was proud of her accomplishments while there, as she was directly linked to and involved in the process and ceremony that changed the name of Highland school to Martin Luther King Jr. school following his assassination on April 4, 1968. The name of the school was changed May 10, 1968. To this day, it is noted that Portland’s Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. school is historic in that is possibly the first school in the nation to be named after the civil rights leader. A picture of her and other officials such as Ted Kennedy that attended that ceremony remained on the walls of the school in years that followed.

Shortly after the mentioned accomplishment, she gave birth to Timothy Harper on April 13, 1970. She was just 14 years old when she accepted this great responsibility. Her strong academics in school were noted prior to giving birth, yet she made sacrifices and chose to be present as a mother while placing her own aspirations as secondary to his well-being. Though she was a single mother she never spoke negatively of the Father (Timothy Wesley). She instead chose to remember the good qualities, gifts, and abilities that the father and son shared. She encouraged her son to spend time and to learn his father’s side of the family who accepted him with open arms.

At just 6 months old Cheryl had her first seizure and was diagnosed with epilepsy. She lived with and stayed close to the family because of this. Her epilepsy was a lifelong condition and would prevent her from ever having a Driver License and impacted her employment. Her most notable employment was at Bess Kaiser Hospital where she served as a housekeeper.

Cheryl was the widow of Oscar McMurray whom she loved. Oscar was an Army Veteran. She gave birth to their child Sheila Harper on July 25, 1984. Her daughter was named in honor of her sister who passed away. Cheryl loved, trusted, and drew strength from the abilities of her daughter who willingly cared for her for several years.

Cheryl was one of 5 siblings. She had 4 sisters and 1 brother. She was the older sister of Sheila Harper and Sharon Harper who are both deceased. Her brother Ronnie Casciato and Sylvia Harper are the remaining siblings. Her love for her brother, sisters and family was well known by all to have met her. In addition, she also shared numerous memories and lessons learned from her parents whom she never forgot and regarded highly.

Cheryl had a total of 8 grandchildren.
Jala’ Harper, Jamilah Harper, Jezreel Harper, Mactae Harper, Delilah Harper, Paschelle Harper, Alontae Harper, and Miracle Harper (deceased).

Extended family members are as follows: Children of Sheila Harper: Angelique Harper, Malcolm Harper and April Harper Children of Sharon Harper: Shameca Anderson-Moore and Douglas Lyons

The Funeral Service will be held at 2:00 PM on December 10, 2022 at Omega Funeral and Cremation Service 223 SE 122nd Avenue, Portland OR.

Special Thanks to Providence Medical Center for your tireless efforts to providing effective communication, guidance and care. We especially appreciate the staff at the Harvest Homes Assisted Living facility for the extra effort, assistance and patience given to this woman who was a beloved member of our family and the community.