Born in Nashville, Tenn., Cheryl was the second child of Herbert A. and Jewel L. Bass. Raised in Norfolk, Va., Cheryl was a graduate of St. Catherine’s School in Richmond, Va.; Princeton; and the University of Virginia School of Law. Cheryl returned to Hampton in 2003 to be closer to family and to assist with the care of her mother.
Cheryl worked as a lawyer and teacher. She was used to being a trailblazer. At St. Catherine’s she was one of the first two African American students to attend. At Princeton she served as president of the Princeton University Gospel Choir her senior year. Daphne Thomas Jones described her as “dignified and graceful” and said she led by example. Gussie Bannard recalled her as “fun and funny, elegant, beautiful, but still really down to earth.”
Cheryl is survived by children Madeleine and Anthony Fitzhugh, sisters Janice Spruell and Pamela Bass, aunts Ann Coke and Rose Merritt, three nieces, two nephews, and many other close family members and friends. The class sends our sympathies to them all.