Cheryl Lyn (Fruits) Higgins, 77, of Winfield, died on February 26, 2023, at the Winfield Senior Living Community.

Cheryl was born on May 6, 1945, to Jack and Esther Jayne (Bullock) Fruits in Winfield. She attended Irving Elementary and Winfield High School and graduated in 1963. She later attended Kansas State Teachers College of Emporia (now Emporia State University) and returned to Winfield to work at KSOK radio. Cheryl worked as on-air talent—and held management positions, as well—at radio stations in Kansas and Oklahoma. During her career, she interviewed actors, political figures, and everyday people. She often joked that her first interview was Eleanor Roosevelt and didn't always clarify she was in grade school at the time.

In 1971, she married Hardie Mack Higgins. To this union, two children were born: Christopher Michael and Leslie Ann. Cheryl and Hardie divorced in 1978.

Cheryl had been active in theatre for several years and was a founding member of the Winfield Community Theatre. She played roles at WCT and other community theatres ranging from Antigone to Vera Charles (Mame). Her final stage role was as Mrs. Higgins in My Fair Lady.

After 30+ years of working in radio, Cheryl made a career change to chamber of commerce management for McPherson, Junction City, and Winfield. It was during this time she became active in leadership through the Kansas Health Foundation and Kansas Leadership Center. In 2003, she was the recipient of the Kansas Health Foundation Community Health Leadership Award. Before dementia prevented Cheryl from working any longer, she was helming the Neighborhood Initiatives leadership program for the Sisters of St. Joseph in Concordia.

Cheryl's parents and her older brother, Gary, preceded her in death.

Those who survive to celebrate her life include: her children, Christopher Higgins, Wichita, and daughter, Leslie (Matthew) Sykes, Oklahoma City, Okla.; grandson, Jesse Sykes, McPherson; brother, Tim Fruits, Jacksonville, Fla., and sister, Hilda Sumner, Wichita; aunt Josephine Wear, Ponca City, Okla.; and numerous cousins, sisters-in-law, and close friends.

Cheryl's life celebration is slated for Saturday., June 22, 2024, in Winfield. Mexican food, margaritas, music, and memories will be in abundance.

The rosary will be prayed the following evening at 6:00 P.M., Sun., June 23, 2024, at Holy Name Catholic Church. Funeral Mass will be at 10:00 A.M., Mon., June 24, 2024, at Holy Name, as well, with graveside committal services immediately following at Memorial Lawn Cemetery.

Memories, messages, and RSVPs can be relayed online at http://tiny.cc/clhiggins, or by contacting her children.

In lieu of flowers, the family asks that you donate to dementia research or buy flowers for someone close to you.