Mary Francis (Dowdy) Cheek

Ms. Mary Francis (Dowdy) Cheek, age 94, of Goldston, NC, transitioned to eternal rest on Wednesday, March 11, 2026, at UNC Chatham Hospital in Siler City, NC.

Obituary

Mary Francis Dowdy Cheek was born June 3, 1931, to the late Romie Dowdy and Ida Headen Dowdy in Goldston, N.C.

Mary attended school at Goldston Colored School.

Later in years she met her husband, Fletcher E. Cheek, to this union twelve children were born. She was a loving, faithful, and caring wife. She was a great mother and friend to everyone. She loved cooking, flowers, canning, sewing, taking care of grandkids, and helping others with their children as well. She was well known to many as Mama Maine.

Mary gave her life to Christ at an early age. She loved the Lord. She started her day with prayer and reading her Daily Word Book. She was an active member of Robert’s Chapel Missionary Baptist Church in Goldston, N.C. She served on 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 Dowdy, Harold Dowdy, Romie Dowdy, Jack Dowdy, Dennis Headen, Willie Tysor, and Lee Tysor; sisters, Sadie Hausley, Pauline Porter, Ora Lee Stevens, Erma “Sis” Brower, Lucille Reaves, and Alberta Dowdy.

Mary leaves to cherish her memory, her daughters, Paulette Cheek Siler (Bill) - Siler City, N.C., Nancy Cheek Jenkins (Norris) - Chapel Hill, N.C., Pamela Cheek Nettles (Elvis) - Raleigh, N.C., Robin Cheek Siler - Siler City, N.C., Annette Cheek Mason (Martin) - Siler City, N.C., Sharon Cheek Wellman (Darren) - Goldston, N.C.; and sons, Harry Cheek - Bennett, N.C., Byron Cheek - Goldston, N.C., Christopher Cheek (Mandy) - Siler City, N.C., Michael Cheek (Toni) - Sanford, N.C., also her grandchildren, and great grandchildren; special thanks to two special nieces, Oma Lynn McIver and Francine Dowdy; and goddaughters, Iris Matthews and Myron Jones.

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Professional services entrusted to Knotts Funeral Home - Sanford, NC