Mary Francis "Dowdy" Cheek

Mary Francis Dowdy Cheek, age 94, of Goldston, North Carolina, passed away on March 11, 2026, at UNC Chatham Hospital in Siler City, North Carolina.

Born on June 3, 1931, in Goldston to the late Romie Dowdy and Ida Headen Dowdy, Mary attended the Goldston Colored School. She later married Fletcher E. Cheek, and together they raised twelve children. She was a loving and faithful wife, a devoted mother, and a cherished friend to many. Known affectionately as Mama Maine, she found joy in cooking, tending flowers, canning, sewing, caring for her grandchildren, and helping others with their children.

Mary gave her life to Christ at an early age and remained deeply devoted to her faith. She began each day with prayer and reading her Daily Word. A longtime active member of Robert’s Chapel Missionary Baptist Church in Goldston, she served faithfully in the Deaconess Ministry, Cooking Committee, Pastor’s Aide, Olie Turner Sunday School Class, and Senior Choir.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Fletcher E. Cheek; sons Jerome and Steven Cheek; brothers Norfus, Harold, Romie, and Jack Dowdy, Dennis Headen, Willie and Lee Tysor; and sisters Sadie Hausley, Pauline Porter, Ora Lee Stevens, Erma “Sis” Brower, Lucille Reaves, and Alberta Dowdy. Mary is survived by her daughters Paulette Cheek Siler (Bill) of Siler City, Nancy Cheek Jenkins (Norris) of Chapel Hill, Pamela Cheek Nettles (Elvis) of Raleigh, Robin Cheek Siler of Siler City, Annette Cheek Mason (Martin) of Siler City, and Sharon Cheek Wellman (Darren) of Goldston; sons Harry Cheek of Bennett, Byron Cheek of Goldston, Christopher Cheek (Mandy) of Siler City, and Michael Cheek (Toni) of Sanford; along with her grandchildren, great-grandchildren, two special nieces, Oma Lynn McIver and Francine Dowdy, and goddaughters Iris Matthews and Myron Jones.