Obituary of Cherie LaVon Brightman

Cherie LaVon Brightman, the daughter of Forbus M. and Alliene V. (Flight) Shepard, was born September 24, 1944, in Tulsa, Oklahoma.  She graduated from Tulsa Central High School.

On January 12, 1963, Cherie was united in marriage with Roger “Bill” Brightman in Des Moines, Iowa.  She worked and retired from Nationwide Insurance as an Administrative Assistant.  Cherie was a member of Grace Church.  One of her passions was cheering on the Oklahoma Sooners football team. Her team spirit shown through by always wearing her sweatshirt and cheering loud from the couch.   The love she showed toward her children and grandchildren was immeasurable.   All who knew her saw the love of Jesus shine through her life. Cherie was loved by us all.

Cherie died on Monday, January 13, 2025, at Iowa Methodist Medical Center in Des Moines, Iowa.  She was 80 years old.  Cherie was preceded in death by her parents; her granddaughter, Brianna Brightman and sisters, Barbara and Patsy.

Those left to honor Cherie’s memory include her husband, Roger “Bill” Brightman; her sons, Ben (Joanna) Brightman and Will (Tina) Brightman; her daughter, Barbie (Paul) DeHeer; her four grandchildren Matt, Megan, Beth and Simone; and her sister, Jeannie (Richard) Phillips and many nieces and nephews.

Funeral services will be held at 11:00 a.m. Friday, January 17, 2025 at Grace Church in Des Moines.  The family will greet friends from 10:00 a.m. until 11:00 a.m. Friday, at the church.  A Facebook Live broadcast will begin at 11:00 a.m. on the Pence~ Reese Funeral Home Facebook page.  Memorial may be designated in Cherie’s name and left at the church or the funeral home.