Cheryl Marie Harney Wethington, 67, of Gulf Shores, AL, passed away with loving family by her side on March 23, 2026.

A beach baby all her life, Cheryl was born in St. Petersburg, FL, on January 21, 1959, to Robert Harney and Betty Watkins Harney. Cheryl’s family then moved to Northern Kentucky, where she attended school and graduated from Boone County High School. Cheryl valiantly served her country in the United States Army until becoming a mother and meeting her future husband (Tom Wethington). The two married on July 25, 1979. She then attended Thomas More College, studying business and also pathology all while working a full-time job at Clarion Manufacturing Corporation and raising 3 children. Later in life she had started working her way to becoming a hairdresser until fate opened another opportunity, starting her own company where she was the President of Tri-State Contracting, Inc. in 1994. She ran her own company until she retired in 2006, when 6 months later she decided to become a foster care parent. Then in 2017, she moved to sunny Gulf Shores, AL.

Cheryl treasured the simple and placid life of the shores of the Gulf. She hunted seashells, painted ceramics, went boating and fishing. She cooked and loved to lounge by the pool with a Mountain Dew (only in a certain red koozie) or a Lipton Brisk Iced Tea (only ever served in her special lidded cup with pink flowers). She lived to care for others. Her husband Tom and her family were the central axis of her life. She possessed an already sizeable heart for biological children. She and Tom’s family grew when they became the adoptive parents for 4 children. She nourished her family in both body and soul with her Southern comfort food and special holiday gatherings together at home. Cheryl shared with her children what it truly meant to possess the capacity to love selflessly and unconditionally.

Cheryl was greeted in Heaven by her parents as well as embraced by her beloved husband James Thomas “Tom” Wethington. She was the devoted Mom to Jenny Wethington-Readnour and husband Jason Readnour, James Wethington Jr., John “Brad” Wethington and wife Mindy Wethington, Cody Wethington, Miranda Wethington, Susan Wethington and Taylor Wethington-Morisch and husband Ronnie as well as dear sister to Bobby Harney, Danny Harney, Eddie Harney, Sheila Brock and Shirley Blankenship. Cheryl was adored Nana to Jozylnn, Jenna (Jenna Pooh), Jace, Blair, Sterling, Paisley (Lady Bug), Asher and Dean.

Friends and family will gather to share memories, find solace in one another's company, and honor the beautiful life Cheryl lived on Friday, April 3, 2026, at Chambers and Grubbs Funeral Home, 45 North Main St., Walton, KY, 41094 from 5:00 PM until 8:00 PM. The funeral will be held the following day on Saturday, April 4, 2026 at 10:00 AM. Directly following the funeral, Cheryl will be laid to rest gently and comfortably at New Bethel Cemetery, Verona-Mudlick Rd., Verona, KY. Memorial donations may be made in person at services or online to Foster Care To Success or Share The Beach (Alabama Coastal Foundation).