Sharyn Tyler Obituary

Sharyn "Cheri" Dawn Jackson Tyler

February 20, 1945 -

February 2, 2026

ELIZABETHTON - Sharyn "Cheri" Dawn Jackson Tyler lived a beautiful life for 80 years. Non-Hodgkin's Lymphoma did not get the victory on February 2, 2026; Jesus did when Cheri went home to be with her Lord & Savior in her daughter's home in Elizabethton, Tennessee, surrounded by her family as they sang hymns.

Cheri was born February 20th, 1945, at St. Elizabeth's Hospital (now Ivy Hall) in Elizabethton. When she was two years old, her mother, Billie Jeanne McQueen Jackson, and grandmother, Ruby White of Siam Valley, moved to San Diego, CA to join Cheri's father, Howard Jackson, who was stationed at San Diego Naval Base following his service in WWII. Cheri loved the beach, surfing, and the San Diego Zoo. She graduated from San Dieguito High School and was crowned Homecoming Queen for the San Diego Military Academy in 1963.

Cheri & Jan Tyler, a San Diego policeman, met on a blind date in 1964, and, on their third date to the Policeman's Ball, decided to elope. Their love affair lasted for 46 years. Cheri worked tirelessly raising a family and turned her passion for photography into a lifelong career. She got a job as a photographer at Olan Mills Portrait Studio, where her talent and leadership skills elevated her to become the first female supervisor for the company in California; a huge accomplishment for a woman in the 1970's. Her creativity led her to develop the now-famous Double Exposure method, which became a signature product for Olan Mills for many years.

In 1980, the Tyler family said goodbye to the West Coast and relocated to Elizabethton, a homecoming to Cheri's family and deep roots in the Siam Valley community. Cheri was able to continue her passion for photography working for Coleman's Studio as an in-studio and traveling school portrait photographer. She had an amazing eye for creating beautiful bridal and High School Senior portraits.

Cheri loved Jesus. She loved people-all people, no matter their background-and she never met a stranger. Even during her health challenges of the past four years, she would share with anyone who would listen about all God had done in her life. Her home was always a welcoming place to family, friends, and strangers. Everyone who entered her home left with a full belly and hearing the gospel of Jesus.

In addition to her husband, Jan, her greatest joy was her 3 daughters, 8 grandchildren, and 6 great-grandchildren. Most summers, her grandchildren would come to her home from other states to spend time gardening, singing, visiting Bays Mountain, crafting, or just sitting around a campfire eating S'mores with their Gaga & Pawpaw.

Cheri was preceded in death by her parents, Billie Jeanne McQueen Jackson of Elizabethton and Howard "Jack" Jackson of New Haven, CT, and her beloved husband of 46 years, Jan M. Tyler, who passed away in 2011.

Our Cheri, Momma & Gaga will be greatly missed on this earthly home by her daughters, Dawn Suchecki & son-in-law Doug (Cataula, GA) Katherine Shoun & son-in-law, Gene of the home (Elizabethton, TN), and Heather Smith & son-in-law Jason (Elbert, CO), daughter-by-choice, Jeannine Beasley & husband, Danny Wingard (Wetumpka, AL). 8 Grandchildren: Robert Landingham & wife, Courtney (Murfreesboro, TN) James Ross (Chicago, Illinois), Alister Matheson (Fort Collins, CO) Alex Landingham (Ireland) Katie Cingel & husband, Corey of the home, (Elizabethton, TN), Matthew Smith & significant other, Sierra Gorski (Elbert, CO), Spc. Ben Smith & wife, Emma (Korea), Zach Smith (Lynchburg, VA). 6 great-grandchildren: Kaitlin Chapman, Jackson Cingel, Gracen Cingel, Michael Landingham, Claire Landingham, and Brendan Smith. Special Friends: Jean MacDonald & husband, Bill (California, Maryland), Mary Elliott & Loretta Elliott, Ann Van Huss (Elizabethton, TN), Delores Fox (Johnson City, TN) and brother-in-law & wife, Bob & Kathy Tyler of Florida.

A private family internment will take place at Fort Logan National Cemetery in Denver, CO. A Celebration of Life will take place at her daughter's home in Elizabethton at a future date.

In lieu of flowers, memorials can be sent in Cheri's name to East Tennessee Christian Home, P.O. Box 1147, Elizabethton, Tennessee 37644