Cheryl Elizabeth Reyna

Cheryl Elizabeth Reyna passed away Sunday, May 12 following a long battle with pulmonary fibrosis. Most people who knew her well think she heard that Heaven needed some redecorating, so she decided it was time to go. She was born February 23, 1946 in Denver, Colorado to Joe Dan and Virginia (Parr) Ivy. She grew up in Conroe, TX graduating from Conroe High School, as she would frequently say, “a really, really, long time ago.”

The small but pleasant town of Conroe was not big enough for Cheryl. She went off to college at Sam Houston State University where she graduated with a degree in social work in 1969, and left with a husband and her first son, Robert Darin Brock. Her adventures took her to Waco, TX where she spent several years working for the Child Welfare Dept. Her servant’s heart benefited many children in McLennan County. Somewhere in the years of serving children, she decided to have another son, Steven Joseph Brock in 1970. The late 70’s brought on new chapters in her adventure, when she married assistant district attorney, Felipe Reyna. This marriage brought her two bonus sons in Daniel and Abelino Reyna. This new marriage and exposure to the law spurred her into returning to school and earning a law degree from Baylor University in 1978.

Cheryl became one of McLennan County’s most sought-after family law attorneys after she and Felipe began their private practice in 1983. She took great pride in knowing that a client, after seeing an advertisement at a local theater, proudly exclaimed: “She’s my lawyer. She is so nice, but she was a total b*tch to my ex-husband. It was great.”  Luckily, for those she loved, and there were many, they got to see the nice part more than the other. As time wore on and she got her children graduated and out of the house, Cheryl took a job in the Texas Attorney General’s office chasing after deadbeat parents. 

By the 2000’s, Cheryl made the happy switch to “memaw” with a growing brood of grandsons. She also put her full efforts into her very broad creative vibes. Painting, felting, fused glass, found-art collages, and holiday themed gnomes as one half of The Artsy Ivy Sisters, with her sister Jody Rosas. She volunteered at church, handling finances and frequently cooking meals for those in need. 

Her talent was endless and her thirst for trying new things was tireless. She touched so many lives and was the living example of what kindness can do for others. Even as the disease began taking her lungs, she was still worried about how others were doing. She needed to know if there was anything she could do for whoever was visiting her. She was a beloved wife, mom, stepmom, sister, Aunt Sissy, memaw, mother-in-law, and friend to many. She will be missed.

Cheryl is survived by her husband of 49 years, Felipe Reyna; son and daughter-in law Darin and Tracy Brock; son and daughter-in-law Steven and Sharon Brock, stepsons Daniel Reyna and Abel Reyna; sister and brother-in-law Jody and Eddie Rosas; brother David Ivy; grandsons Samuel, Owen, Ty and wife Emily, Luke, and Grayson Brock, and Nathan Reyna; nephews Ben and Zac Rosas; Emily and husband Taylor Petersen; and grand niece and nephew Ivy and Edward Petersen; and countless friends that she considered family.

The family would like to extend a very special thank you to Kathy Rassmussen and Lois Rogers for their unending support and friendship to Cheryl and Kim Morris, “the daughter she never had.” Special thanks also goes to nurse Jennie and nurse’s aide Laura of Providence Hospice Care who treated Cheryl with grace and dignity in her final months.

Cheryl loved flowers, but she would also be happy if you just hugged someone and let them know how important they are to you. And always remember, “it’ll all work out.”