Cherie Lynn Ryals (Watson), age 78, was born September 26, 1947, in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, and died peacefully on February 5, 2025.

Her husband, Frank Ryals, and parents, William and Lewis Watson, preceded her in death. She is survived by her three children, Brian Ryals, Nicole Ryals Sophocles (husband Michael), John Ryals (fiancee Tabatha), her sister Willie Lewis Watson, and three grandchildren, Paul Noah, Madeline, and Grayson. 

Cherie graduated from Louisiana State University and was an avid LSU fan and proud member of the ZTA sorority. She lived and worked as a social worker in Baton Rouge, West Palm Beach, New Orleans, and for the past 39 years in Mandeville. Cherie loved animals, especially her dogs, and would do anything for them. She loved plants and flowers and enjoyed working in the gardens she created outside and inside her house. She supported her children and grandchildren and their interests and passions. Cherie loved listening to Brian play music, gardening with John, traveling to see Nicole and her grandkids, and watching them play sports, bake, and talk about music interests with her eldest grandson. 

The family will celebrate her life in early summer. 

Instead of flowers, the family would prefer donations to the Northshore Humane Society of Covington, Louisiana, to honor Cherie’s love of animals.

https://www.northshorehumane.org/