Elease Smoak Lott

Elease Smoak Lott, the daughter of the late Willie Roy Smoak and Helen Smoak was born in Allendale, SC on October 13, 1941. She was the youngest daughter of twelve children. She was educated in the public schools of Allendale County, SC. She moved to Philadelphia, Pennsylvania in 1959. She met and married Eugene Cherry and from this union nine children were born. After many years of living in Philadelphia, she moved back to South Carolina.  She then dated and married Jerome Van Lott. Together, they raised two of their grandchildren Jamar Cherry and Tyeshia Gordon – Lockett.

At an early age, she joined Trinity CME Church. She was an active member until she had some health challenges. Elease interest included spending time with family, cooking, gardening, reading the Bible, and listening to Gospel music. She enjoyed having her children and grandchildren around to tell them 

historical highlights of her life and family members

and their journey through life.  She devoted much of her time and energy as a homemaker to her family.

In the early morning of Sunday, August 21, 2022, at the University of Pennsylvania Hospital, the Lord God sent a chariot to escort her to her heavenly home. She was predeceased in death by her parents, Willie Roy and Helen Smoak; first husband, Eugene Cherry; second husband, Jerome Vann Lott; daughter, Janet Cherry; son-in-law, Michael A Bell, Sr.; sisters, Reatha Youmans, Anna Douglas, Willean Dobson and Dorothy Ginn; brothers, Glover Smoak, James Smoak, and Freddie Smoak.

Elease leaves to cherish her memories: four daughters, Theresa E. Bell of Jersey City, NJ, Barbara Cherry- Newman (Gregory) of Philadelphia, PA, Dorothy Cherry of Varnville, SC, Valerie Cherry-Coleman (George) of Philadelphia, PA; four sons, Eugene (Geno) Cherry, Curtis Cherry, Willie Cherry, and Anthony Cherry all of Philadelphia, PA; four stepchildren, Yvonne Cherry, Catherine Cherry, John Cherry, and David Cherry; 31 grandchildren; 31 great grandchildren; 2 great - great grandchildren; a host of nieces, nephews, nieces, cousins, and friends.

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