Cheryl Anne (Atkinson) Clark

Cheryl Anne (Atkinson) Clark
(January 5, 1959 – March 21, 2026)
Cheryl Anne (Atkinson) Clark, 67, of Durham, NC, died from ovarian cancer at her home on March 21, 2026.

Cherie was born January 5, 1959, in Pittsburgh, PA to parents Anna May (Tolbert) Tucker and James Richard Atkinson, Sr. (both deceased). Cherie is survived by her husband, John Albert Clark, her brother, James Richard Atkinson, Jr. and her half sister and brother (through her father) Rhonda Ranae (Atkinson) Winn and William Henry Atkinson (respectively).

Cherie and John were married on May 15, 1993 in Lawrence, Kansas. She obtained her Associate of Arts degree from Johnson County Community College in Overland Park, KS in July, 1994.

Although Cherie and John had no children, they do have cats: Oscar, Grace, Annie, Cosmo and Pepper.

Cherie worked as a bookseller at Mr. Mike’s Books beginning in 2009, where she shared her love of reading with customers and colleagues alike. Books were one of her lifelong passions, and she found joy in stories, learning, and connecting with others through literature.

She also loved genealogy, photography, and discovering the stories that connected people across generations. Her curiosity about the world and appreciation for life’s details enriched the lives of those around her.

One accomplishment that I think is the coolest thing ever is that Cherie was able to reconnect her mother with her mother‘s birth family through her genealogy research. Many of her mother’s siblings were still living and we had a family reunion. She also reconnected cousins on her father’s side with their birth families. Genealogy was more of a living testament than one of ancient roots to Cherie.

Cherie was a kind and thoughtful person whose quiet warmth touched everyone who knew her. She will be remembered most for simply being a good person — generous of spirit, caring, and deeply genuine.

Cherie’s favorite quote was “Everything in moderation, including moderation” by Oscar Wilde. This quote really described her personal philosophy of living.

Her memory will live on through the love she gave, the lives she touched, and the quiet goodness she carried through the world.

In lieu of flowers, please make a donation to Independent Animal Rescue of Durham, North Carolina at http://animalrescue.net

I plan to have a memorial service for Cherie in midsummer 2026. I will let everyone know the details when I have more information.