Cheryl Anne Fowler passed away peacefully on October 7, 2025, at her home in Spring Branch, Texas, at the age of 80. In 1945, she was born to John A Bell, Jr. of Kansas City, Kansas, and Helen Anne Haynes of Toledo, Ohio, in McAlester, Oklahoma. After moving to the Rio Grande Valley and her mother's marriage to Robert E. Fowler of Superior, Wisconsin, she was adopted by him in 1954.

She was preceded in death by her parents and first husband, Dillon Edward Vanderford, Sr., of Houston, Texas. She was married to Douglas Collins of Harlingen, Texas, for 20 years until his death in 2018.

She graduated from Brownsville High School and obtained her Bachelor of Science degree at Sam Houston State University. She joined the Zeta Theta chapter of Delta Zeta sorority and remained a member in good standing for 62 years until her death.

After working for Shell Laboratories at MD Anderson Hospital in Houston and Nixon High School in Laredo, she settled with her children in Brownsville, Texas. She obtained a real estate license and later her Master's in Education degree from the University of Texas at Brownsville. She retired from Brownsville Independent School District in 2003, after 25 years of service, and was a long-time member of First Presbyterian Church.

She is survived by her daughter, Elizabeth Anne Fowler of Spring Branch; son and daughter-in-law Dillon and Laura Vanderford of Brownsville; her grandsons Cash Jackson Fowler and Dillon L. Vanderford; her granddaughters Abigail E. Vanderford and Amanda E. Vanderford, as well as numerous cousins, nieces, and nephews from Kansas to Minnesota.

A kind woman of many talents and interests, Cheri spent the very last hours of her life still working to bring joy and support to others. As a lover of her family, friends, flowers, food, and her four-legged furries, she will be missed by many. In lieu of flowers, consider memorial donations to one of her favorite charities, such as Paralyzed Veterans of America, St. Jude Children's Hospital, or your local animal shelter.

Memorial services will be at a later date.

Please sign the guestbook at www.doeppenschmidtfuneralhome.com