Cheryl Pettiford Gooch

Cheryl P. Gooch, 78, passed away on October 1, 2025, after a brief illness. Cheryl was born in Oberlin, OH. Cheryl is the oldest child of Wallace and Gwendolyn Pettiford. Cheryl is a 1965 graduate of Oberlin High School. She earned a bachelor’s degree in Special Education from Virginia State University. Throughout high school and college, Cheryl served as a majorette in the marching band. Cheryl’s career as an educator spanned from New York City, Pittsburgh, and New Orleans before returning home to teach in Oberlin City Schools for over two decades in the district. While at Oberlin, she served as Senior Class and Student Council Advisor. She also worked at the Boys and Girls Club for over 25 years.

Cheryl was a long-time member of Mt. Zion Baptist Church in Lorain where she served as Deaconess for over 20 years and usher. Cheryl was a member of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc., NAACP, and National Council of Negro Women. Cheryl’s hobbies included watching the Steelers, listening to Luther Vandross, sewing, road trips, and reading James Patterson books.

Cheryl is preceded in death by her parents, Wallace and Gwendolyn Pettiford and her husband, John, of 45 years. Cheryl is survived by her daughter Laura and grandson, Jordan, her siblings, Wallace Jr., Thomas, and Stephanie (John), as well as a host of nieces and nephews.

Service will be held on October 10, 2025, at 11am at Brown-Robinson Funeral Home, 6075 Middle Ridge Road, Lorain OH 44053. An Omega Omega Ceremony will take place at 10am. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in Cheryl’s name to Virginia State University at https://giving.vsu.edu