Cherry Paster

CHERRY LEE PASTER, affectionately known as “Mama Cherry”, was born on Wednesday, January 7, 1942 on a peaceful, cold, winter night in Benton, Louisiana. She was the third of eleven children born to the late Mandy Smith Hawkins and General Hawkins Sr.

During the early 1950’s, the family moved to San Diego, California, where she attended Memorial Jr. High School and ECC. After completing her education, Mama Cherry enjoyed her role as a stay at home mother to her three beautiful children: James, Sharon and Alvin.

 In 1965, Mama Cherry united in holy matrimony to Percy Paster Sr.  Their union was blessed with five beautiful children; Sheila, Percy Jr., Dorian, Marcia and Derrick. Together they embraced in love eight wonderful children, James Bryant,

Mama Cherry was a loving, caring and devoted wife and mother who wanted the best for her children.  It was her greatest joy watching her children and grandchildren grow through the years.  She would open her heart and home to others in need and give whatever she could. It was most important to Mama Cherry to maintain organization with family traditions and keeping sentimental memories alive. She enjoyed fishing at the lake, baking pastries for the community and anything that would brighten her day through her gifts from the heart. She was truly unique with an extraordinary kind spirit.

On Wednesday, September 25, 1998, Mama Cherry’s beloved husband, Percy, passed away shortly after suffering from a stroke. She was completely heartbroken but continued to live her life till she passed away peacefully in the arms of her son, Alvin.

On Saturday, August 25, 2018 at 10:30 in the morning on a warm summer day, God and his Host of angels took Mama Cherry home to rest to be reunited with her loving husband, oldest son, James; mother, and father; two brothers, General Hawkins Jr. and Rogers Hawkins; four sisters; Mary Louis, Mary Lee Hawkins, Bettie Lee Hawkins, Teresa Mae Maroney.

She leaves to cherish her memory her sons, Alvin Lee Bryant (Juana), Percy Paster Jr., Dorian Paster, and Derrick Paster; three daughters, Sharon Bryant, Sheila Hill (Dwayne), and Marcia Cornist (Harlon); son-in-law, Danny Goodman; one brother, Booker T. Edwards; three sisters, Doretha Anderson, Deloris Derouen and Loraine Herrod (Eddie); twenty-two grandchildren, twenty great-grandchildren; and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins and friends.

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