Laura Beth Cherry died on Dec. 8, 2023 at the age of 80.
She was born on June 29, 1943 in Prairie City to Levon Pauline Allen (Bonnie) and Orville Virgil Allen (Cook).
She grew up on the family ranch in Fox with her two sisters and one brother. She enjoyed conversation and as a little girl got the nickname Gabby from her uncle Putt. This nickname would stick with her for life and proved to be accurate.
She was active throughout her school years in sports but her true passion was horses. Her favorite horse growing up was a mare named Flicka. She enjoyed racing anyone who was up to the challenge. Later on, she would start raising and breaking colts, and eventually turned her love of horses to team roping at the age of 50 and became a successful header.
In 1965 she agreed to marry the love of her life, Wilbur Cherry (Orb) after knowing him for only three days. She did make him wait two weeks so she could give her boss two weeks’ notice. They raised three sons.
Beth worked in the logging industry for most of her life at Hudspeth Sawmill and then at Iron Triangle Logging before finishing her career with the city of John Day and the state of Oregon CSD division, and finally retired in February 2021. She enjoyed her hobbies, and like everything in her life she pursued them with a fervor. She ran a successful photography business in her spare time, joined a bowling league, raised and bred Catahoula hounds, and team roped.
She leaves behind a legacy of passion for all that she did, an incredible work ethic, and a kind heart to everyone that was blessed to know her. Her absence will be felt by many. But we can all rest easy knowing that her and Grandpa Cook will be meeting each morning for coffee at 3 a.m.
She is survived by her husband, Orb Cherry; three sons, Steve and wife Pam, Grant and wife Gail, and Greg and wife Leslie; brother, Harley Allen and wife Sherrie; four grandchildren, six great-grandchildren; as well as many nephews, nieces and great nephews and nieces.
She was preceded in death by her father, Cook Allen; mother, Bonnie Allen; and two sisters, Judy Savage and Linda Holland.
There will be a celebration of life in Fox in the spring of 2024.
Burns Mortuary of Hermiston is in care of arrangements.
