Cheri Beth Beasley, age 65, passed away unexpectedly on Friday July 25, 2025, leaving a large hole in the lives of her extended family and friends, and a larger one in the life of her husband.

Born on February 17, 1960, in Smithfield, North Carolina, Beth grew up on a farm in Bentonville and built a life rooted in warmth, resilience, and devotion to those she loved. She earned her Master's in English at the University of North Carolina at Charlotte, where she also began a teaching career that lasted over 35 years. Beth brought joy and enlightenment to over 3 generations of students, most recently those at Virginia Peninsula Community College. She was always most drawn to those young people most different from others.

Though Beth had no children, she was a loving and adored aunt to her four nephews, and she never met a baby she didn't smile at or, if a friend's, cradle gently and coo at.

Beth had many interests during her life. In addition to reading widely and writing poetry, she loved music, both as an audience member and performer. She sang with the Virginia Choral Society for several years. Her passion for theater led her to both perform in, and direct, dozens of productions beginning in high school and extending well into her career at VPCC, where she was instrumental in reviving and expanding what were then the Thomas Nelson Players. And if you knew Beth, you knew of her love for live music, including, but in no way limited to, the Grateful Dead.

She found much joy in her 6 dogs and one cat over the years, and in early morning walks along the James River.

Beth was preceded in death by her father, Cooper Bryant Beasley, and her mother, JoAnn Snead Beasley.

She is survived by her sister Paula JoAnn Beasley, Paula's son, Joseph Richard Osuna and his wife Samantha Wathen, and son Alan Bryant Osuna and his wife Amy LeGore; sister Anna Catherine Beasley and her sons Patrick Edward Duffy and Liam Byant Duffy; as well as her bereft husband, Michael Weiser.

A celebration of her life will be held on Friday, August 1, 2025. starting at 5:30 at the Virginia Living Museum.

In accordance with her wishes, Beth will be cremated. The family kindly requests that, in lieu of flowers, donations be made in her name to the Unmanageable organization at https://www.unmgmt.org/donate