Michael Keith Cherry was born on June 8, 1954 to the late R. C. and Zola M. (Blake) Cherry in Montgomery, Alabama. Although Mike was their only child, R. C. and Zola were mom and dad to other cousins and family friends.

Michael spent many of his formative years in Lowndes County, Alabama with his grandparents, James and Pearl Blake. Despite his challenges, Michael along with his favorite cousin, Bertram, got into their share of mischief as young boys do. Although they loved him dearly, James and Pearl never spared a rod.

Eventually, Michael came to Cleveland, Ohio to live with his parents. He was educated through the Cleveland Public School System along with the Board of MR/DD where he worked for many years at the different workshop facilities performing various jobs.

Michael loved listening to music, especially the sounds of Al Green and James Brown. When he was younger, he loved to dance to those soulful sounds. He was the family entertainer.

Michael loved his family, especially his aunt “Bebe” and his family dearly loved him. We all knew he was spoiled and he could be stubborn at times but it usually only took a pepsi and peanuts to get him to cooperate and if that didn’t work, it was always that threatening call to “Letta.”

Mike is survived by his aunt, Reacia N. Logan, and uncle, Booker T. Logan; cousins, Verletta (Robert) Jackson, Bertram (Sharon) Hudson, Sharon Walker, Marsha Logan, Marla Glenn, Vickie (Vincent) Irizarry, Angeli (Wellington) Horhn, and Christopher (Carmen) Logan.