Cheree Chappell Davis
Cheree Chappell Davis valiantly and bravely completed her mortal journey and honorably returned to her Heavenly Father early in the morning on January 22, 2025, surrounded by her eternal companion and other loved family members after many years battling cancer and Sjorgren’s syndrome. She won at life in every important way that matters most and never ceased her smile or positive attitude. Many will always remember her never-ending optimism and radiant enthusiasm of cheering on others.
Children, music, and teaching were the perfect combination for a happy life for Cheree Chappell Davis, born on April 20, 1953, to her adored parents, Aldus DeVon and Rayda Bishop Chappell in Logan, Utah. Many of her early childhood memories were from River Heights, Utah. She had built-in friends with her two little brothers, Rob and Mark, born within 2 years and 3 months of herself, and made her grow up rather quickly! She later was grateful to have a little sister, Lisa, who meant the world to her and who was her “baby doll.” Finally her youngest brother, Scott, to whom she looked up to in so many ways. They were a family that did everything together and grew up as best friends. She graduated from Brighton High School in 1971 as the Salutatorian in her class at a 5A school—Go Bengals! And she was involved with many clubs and organizations (especially the Pep Club). She then attended BYU, where she became the full-time secretary to the dean during her final semester and graduated in 1975. The following school year, she began her career as a full-time teacher.
Cheree loved teaching at Sunrise Elementary (2nd grade) and later, Shelley Elementary (music) where she also was involved in their performing show choir called Shelley Soundz. Her beloved Encore! Academy of Entertainment began in Sandy, Utah where she was co-owner with Kristi Davis and, for 18 years, built an amazing culture of students who could build self-esteem through performance, song, and dance. Hundreds of former students, her Encore! “family,” to this day are filled with positive memories from tours, firesides, and dozens of performances and concerts because of this labor of love she so freely gave.
Cheree married her sweetheart, Dr. Rodney C. Davis, on June 14, 1976. She knew she would marry him from their first date of dinner and dancing at the Hotel Utah, after being set up by both of their parents. She claimed to be the most blessed Mom and “Nana” ever with her awesome children: Mike (Moriah) of Houston, TX; Danny (Jamie) of Syracuse, UT; Heather (Brock Johnson) of Draper, UT; Paul (Lilly) of Draper, UT; and Josh (Whitney) of West Jordan, UT; and 21 grandchildren who were the joy of her heart. Every day was an exciting, challenging, yet rewarding adventure as Mom and Nana. She had the biggest heart and loved nothing more than being with her family and being heavily involved in their lives and activities. She could be found at nearly every concert, performance, game, or event that was meaningful to her children or grandchildren because she loved being everyone’s best supporter and cheerleader.
There are so many things Cheree “loved to do and enjoyed doing.” Music tops the list, and of course, playing the piano is one of the most important parts of her life. She said that she had so much joy, happiness, heartache, frustration, satisfaction, and just plain FUN from playing this wonderful instrument and was grateful for the many people through the years she met and became friends with by playing for them and with them! Rob (her little brother) and Cheree played duets all the time growing up, and even recently could still play “Tonight” from “West Side Story,” “Sleigh Ride,” or sometimes “Jamaican Rumba!”
Family and church were central to Cheree’s life. She treasured her stake and ward callings in all organizations, including serving as Stake Relief Society President, ward Primary and Young Women President and counselor, and activities committee chairman (three times). She served 15 years as stake or ward Primary music leader and as ward choir accompanist for 20 years and was always happy to serve wherever the Lord needed her. Cheree had a firm testimony of her Savior, Jesus Christ, and The Plan of Happiness. She also accomplished her lifelong dream of playing the organ in the Mount Timpanogos Temple for several months before her health deteriorated.
Her life legacy is encapsulated in her motto: “Choose the right, love the Lord, and do your best!” As the answer to her favorite song “Where Is Heaven?” provides, “when you’re with the ones you love, it’s right where you are!” Cheree was in Heaven every single day, surrounded by her beloved family and friends. Her smile, her radiant spirit, and contagious optimism are already greatly missed and we look forward to the day when we are all reunited through God’s great glory.
Funeral services for Cheree will be held on Monday, February 10, 2025 at 11:00 am in the Highland 2nd Ward Chapel, located at 5212 West Country Club Drive, Highland, Utah, 84003. Family and friends are invited to a visitation on Sunday evening from 5:00-8:00 pm at the Highland 2nd Ward Chapel and also at an additional viewing on Monday morning from 9:30-10:30 am prior to services at the church. Interment will follow services at the East Lawn Memorial Hills Cemetery in Provo, Utah.