Cheryl A. Paxson

It is with deep sorrow that the family of Cheryl Paxson announces her passing, peacefully in the morning hours of Monday, December 29, 2025. She spent her final days with her immediate family by her side, lovingly cared for by the Kansas City Hospice House in Kansas City, Missouri. Cheryl was deeply cherished by her family and friends. Her room was often filled with love as extended family and friends, including her siblings and many nieces, nephews, and great nieces and nephews visited to sit with her and offer comfort and affection, as well as make heartfelt phone calls to extend their love and support from afar. Cheryl faced a very brief battle with an aggressive form of glioblastoma, diagnosed just two months before her passing. True to her independent and spirited nature, she met it with remarkable strength, courage, and calm. Even in this short time, her spirit, determination, and wit shone through, reminding everyone around that her humor and spark never left.

Cheryl Anne Hensley was born on February 12, 1955, to Leland and Elizabeth Josephine (Dean) Hensley in Great Bend, Kansas. Cheryl moved with her family during her early childhood years as her father worked for Texaco Oil. She lived in several places; including Chase, Conway Springs, and Argonia Kansas, with Argonia being where they settled last. Cheryl attended school in Argonia and graduated from Argonia High School in 1973. In the spring of her Junior year she met her soulmate-to-be, Alan, bonding over their love of music and involvement in band and choir. After graduation, Cheryl attended Friends University in Wichita for one semester in the Fall of 1973. On November 17, 1973, Cheryl and Wesley Alan Paxson were united in marriage at Immaculate Conception Catholic Church in Danville, Kansas. Cheryl decided to put her education on hold while Alan completed his degree. During this time she worked at Cessna in Wichita building electronic harnesses for aircraft. After Wichita, Cheryl and Alan moved to Protection, Kansas, where Alan had accepted his first teaching position. They made this their home for two years, and in 1978 the family moved to Chetopa, which became their home for the next 48 years.

During her early years in Chetopa, Cheryl stayed home with her young children until they were both in school. Once they were both of school age, Cheryl worked in a variety of retail positions, with a few of her favorites being Coats Furniture Store and ABC Lumber in Chetopa, as well as Tom’s Maytag in Columbus, Kansas. Cheryl had a strong hands-on, mechanical skill set and an incredible ability to fix things; she was naturally gifted at working with her hands and solving problems both at work and at home. She would frequently be called upon for advice on anything ranging from ailment cures to cooking advice to questions about appliances or auto repair because – “Cheryl knows!”

Just as important was her outgoing and social nature. Cheryl truly never met a stranger—she loved meeting people, striking up conversations, and making others feel comfortable. Her natural problem solving ability and genuine warmth made her especially loved by customers and coworkers alike. In 2000, Cheryl found both purpose and passion as a paraeducator through SEK Interlocal. She spent the next 21 years serving at Chetopa High School, where she remained until her retirement. Cheryl truly loved working with students, particularly in math, and took pride in being someone they could trust and relate to. Even though she thoroughly enjoyed her retirement, she always missed working with her students. She even continued her ties with Chetopa schools upon her retirement by taking admission at the ballgames and greeting everyone as they came in, a perfect job for someone who enjoyed meeting and visiting with new people as much as she did.

Cheryl had many hobbies and particularly enjoyed crafts like wood burning, beading/jewelry making, and diamond painting. Musically talented, she also enjoyed playing guitar, ukulele, and singing, especially in collaboration with Alan. Her love for music of all genres ran deep. Cheryl had a deep love for the outdoors, especially the Rocky Mountains of Colorado. When her children were young, she cherished family trips spent traveling through the mountains, visiting national parks, and camping together with her kids, joined by her brother Gordon and his wife Carol on some of the camping ventures. In later years, and especially after her retirement, Cheryl and Alan continued these adventures together. One of their greatest joys was finally seeing the aspens turn gold in the fall. They also enjoyed spontaneous outings and sometimes surprise trips to explore new places, attend a musical, or take in a concert. No matter where their travels took them, they always made time for their afternoon cards and coffee, a well-loved ritual they partook in everyday. Cheryl was a member of the First Presbyterian Church in Baxter Springs, where she sang alto in the choir and served as an elder. She would also be called upon, sometimes at the last minute, to sing a duet with Alan which she would reluctantly do. Cheryl cherished all of her family and their accomplishments and was very proud of them, always supporting them in all they did. She always enjoyed sharing their accomplishments with everyone she met, and there was nothing she enjoyed more than having all of her family together for special occasions

She is survived by her loving husband, Alan Paxson of the home; one son, Adam Paxson (Sagar) of Kansas City, Kansas; one daughter, Jennifer Tavernaro (Pete) of Weir, Kansas; brother Mike Hensley (Linda) of Lee’s Summit, Missouri; brother Pat Hensley (Ronna) of Mulvane, Kansas; one sister-in-law, Carol Hensley of Olathe Kansas; and Barbara Kuster Cordill, sister-by-heart. She is lovingly remembered by numerous nieces, nephews, great nieces, and great nephews and a multitude of friends. She was preceded in death by her parents and two brothers, infant Kevin Hensley, and Gordon Hensley.

The memorial services will be at 11:00 a.m, Saturday, January 10, 2025 at the First Presbyterian Church in Baxter Springs. The family will receive friends from 6:00-8:00 p.m., Friday January 9th, 2025, at the Bath-Forbes-Hoffman Funeral Home in Chetopa.

Memorials are suggested to Kansas City Hospice and Palliative Care (https://kchospice.org/donate/) or the Musella Foundation For Brain Tumor Research (https://virtualtrials.org/Donate.cfm). These may be left at or mailed to Forbes-Hoffman Funeral Home, P.O. Box 374, Parsons, KS 67357.