Mrs. Charmaine "Cherie" Fickes Acker

Charmaine "Cherie" Fickes Acker-Mt. Airy
After suffering from Parkinson's disease for an extended time, Mrs. Cherie Martha Fickes Acker, 83, went home to be with the Lord on April 19, 2013. She lived and died in her home and the home of Brenda and Sonny Westmoreland, surrounded by the love of her family, her loving caregiver, Brenda, and many close friends. Charmaine was born in York, PA on May 10, 1929 to the late Jacob and Anna Fickes of PA. Her brother, Robert Fickes, and sister, Madeline Hess, both of PA, preceded her in death. She graduated from Elizabethtown College with a teaching degree in Special Education. She was a Special Education teacher at the old Rockford Elementary School and Tharrington Elementary School for many years, until she went back to PA with her beloved husband, the late Rev. Bill Acker, to go into ministry at Valley Forge Christian College. While Bill took classes to become a minister, Cherie supported him at the college where they served as Dean of Men and Dean of Women, as well as dorm parents. They mentored many young folks, whom they "adopted" into their extended family and who later became ministers and serve the Lord in many different ways. Later, she accompanied him to the Wyncote Assemblies of God Church, where he served as Pastor, and shared in his ministry for two years. Having been diagnosed with lung cancer, he went home to be with his Lord September 7, 1983. She was by his side at all times. Eventually she moved back to Mt. Airy to be with her children and grandchildren. Cherie is survived by her son, Dana Acker and his wife, Trish, and daughter, Kat Cooke and her husband, Joe of Mt. Airy, her grandsons, Jacob and Seth Cooke of Mt. Airy and John William (JW) Acker of St. Thomas, US Virgin Islands. She is survived by her extended family of previous students who refer to her as "mom" and have been like family to her, Art Slye, Tim Gieger, and Joann Turner. She is also survived by her very special caregiver and her husband, Brenda Westmoreland and Sonny. She had a very special friend, Shirley Tillotson, who visited her daily since her illness became severe, and she was unable to leave home. Hilda Bowen, Kat's, Mother in law, has been a faithful friend, part-time caregiver for a while, and, has really demonstrated the character of Christ towards Cherie. Cherie was a tireless champion for the mentally disabled in Mt. Airy, at a time when they were treated unfairly and inhumanely. She took on the city school system to make changes to their entire philosophy of educating the mentally handicapped, was fired over it, and was reinstated to her position via the intervention of US Congressman Wilmer "Vinegar Bend" Mizell. She is largely responsible for there ever being a humane and practical educational program for the severely mentally handicapped in Mt. Airy, culminating in the creation of the first "sheltered workshop," where students too old to remain in school could earn money in a safe and non-exploitive environment. Cherie was well respected in the community, volunteering thousands of hours at Northern Hospital of Surry County, in the area schools. She even won a Governor's Award for her volunteer hours and service to the community. She was a member of Mt. Carmel Baptist Church, where her entire family are also members, and has a large number of close friends there. A former pastor, Dr. James Joseph has been a faithful servant, and visited her regularly for years, ministering to her spiritual and emotional needs. The caregiver and family of Cherie would like to express their heartfelt appreciation to the Hospice staff for their dedication to their profession, and their compassionate care shown to our beloved one during her life. A memorial service to celebrate Cherie's life will be held at Mt. Carmel Baptist at 6:00 PM on Tuesday April 23, 2013 with Rev. Doug Delong and Dr. James Joseph officiating. The family will receive friends following the service at the church. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Mt. Carmel Baptist Church, 123 Mt. Carmel Church Rd., Mt. Airy, NC 27030. Online condolences may be made at www.moodyfuneralservices.com.