Cheryl Lynn Swopes

Cheryl Lynn Swopes was born July 14, 1961, in Topeka, KS and departed this life on January 25, 2026, in Kansas City, KS. Cheryl was 5th in the line of 8 children of Otis Bruce Jr. and Louise Reece-Bruce who preceded her in death. Before Cheryl’s passing, her and her husband were faithful members of The Worship Center of Kansas City in Lenexa, KS.

Growing up, Cheryl was known to get her way by flashing her big doe eyes and enchanting smile. Cheryl attended State Street Elementary, Holiday Jr. High, and Topeka High School where she graduated in May of 1979. While attending Topeka High School she was elected to be a member of the schools’ acclaimed drill team. She loved her fluffy black and gold pom poms that she proudly displayed on her bedroom wall.

After graduation Cheryl reunited and fell in love with her husband Joseph Keith Swopes Sr. (they first met when she was in junior high). The two were wed on July 24,1982, at “12th & Lane Church of God”, as their wedding song, “Endless Love”, echoed through the sanctuary. And endless love would definitely identify their union of 43 years! Cheryl was always soft-spoken, but passionate in expressing her feelings. She loved and respected her husband, and her husband loved her, respected her, pampered her, and spoiled her throughout their 43 years together.

Cheryl was an exceptionally gifted home maker. A person could never enter her home unannounced and not find every inch of her home in a perfect pristine order. Everything had a defined place or label. Her pantry surpassed the neatest, most organized grocery store. Cheryl would greet everyone who entered her home with a soft hello and then offer them a bottled water, Pepsi or green tea, and a treat from the “famous” pantry. It didn’t matter if you were a child or adult…everyone wanted to visit “the pantry!”

She took pride in not only her home, but also her children. Her kids were never presented with dirty clothes or smudged faces. Their hair was always polished without a strand out of place. Her children quickly earned the family title of “Clorox Kids!”

Cheryl was just as committed to her job as she was to her family and home. She was employed full-time, for 30 years with the Kansas State Department of Disability Determination Services from 1987 to 2017. Due to her dedication, at age 56, she earned her right to retire years before many of her older siblings.

A few years after her retirement, Cheryl and her husband Joe made the decision to move to Kansas City, KS to be closer to their grandchildren. They had the honor of building a brand-new beautiful home designed and decorated to fit their retired lifestyle. Cheryl’s home was adorned with many beautifully unique items, delivered to her doorstep in brown boxes with big blue smiles, from her best friend, “Amazon!”

Cheryl lived a full happy life. And (because of her deep relationship with God) she has now moved on to the mansion that has been especially prepared for her by Jesus Christ her Savior (John 14:2-3). She closed her eyes here, and woke up in the glorious presence of Jesus, surrounded by all her loved ones who have gone on before her… welcoming her home.

I’m sure that she is now busy organizing the clouds, straightening the angel’s wings, and polishing the fingerprints from the pearly gates. It’s a good chance that she has been put in charge of labeling all the blessings that God has in store for her loved ones left behind. It’s for sure, that she is now one of a “great cloud of witness” encouraging her loved ones to continue to run their race with endurance (Hebrews 12:1-2) until they are all reunited in glory.

Cheryl will be dearly missed and continually loved by: her husband, Joseph Keith Swopes Sr.; her two children: Joseph (JK) Keith Swopes II (Serita) and Cherice Nicole Richmond (Justin); 7 grandchildren: Ja'Onte Swopes, Jahmir Swopes, Jahzae Swopes, Breylin Richmond, Caiden Richmond, Justice Richmond, King Richmond; 2 great-grandchildren: Javeah Swopes and Jakyus Swopes.

She also leaves six sisters: Belinda Bruce-Austin (Aaron – deceased), Carol Bruce-Lockhart (Theodus), Pamela Bruce-Boyd (Melvin), Yvonne Bruce, Tiffany Bruce, Talisha Bruce-Ararsa (Tamrat); one brother, Wayne Bruce (Lisa – deceased), and a host of nephews, nieces, cousins, in-laws and friends.