On February 11, 2015, my mother, Cheryl Marlene Rollins, passed away suddenly at St. Thomas West Hospital in Nashville, TN. As a result of a blockage in her intestines, her bowels had prolapsed. In addition, she was in acute renal failure when she arrived by Life Flight to the emergency room. With her kidneys failing, and her blood pressure and body temperature at dangerously low levels, emergency surgery was performed to correct any damage.
The surgery, however, was unsuccessful and no other feasible medical route could be taken to save her. With her family surrounding her, she passed away at 1:25 p.m.

She was 45.

Born on June 24, 1969, Cheryl was a loving mother of two sons, a devoted wife to a husband she had been married to for 28 years, and a grandmother to three wonderful kids, including a beautiful baby boy born just six months ago. She was a selfless friend and a warmhearted and tender human being--devoted to her family and determined to fight until the very end.

In 1997, what was supposed to be a relatively minor surgery to remove a cyst on her ovary turned into an unimaginable nightmare when the surgeon neglectfully made an incision on her intestines. As a result, she was hospitalized with infection after infection, with doctors telling her family to prepare for the worst.

Being the fighter she is, however, she survived, but not without medical consequences.

For 18 long years, she suffered with various medical conditions--all repurcussions of a butchered surgery when she was 28 years old.

It would be an understatement to say that Cheryl was a fighter. With the help of family, friends, and her own unbreakable spirit, she pulled herself out of those dark days to live her life to the fullest.

From surgeons and physicians, we know now that her passing was a result of that botched surgery all those years ago. She fought for 18 long years, and even up to the very end before that final surgery, we saw determination in her eyes. Not fear.

Because she passed with no life insurance, the purpose of this fundraising campaign is to help our family pay for her final expenses, including cremation and a subsequent memorial service.

Cheryl lived her life with determination. She offered a shoulder to cry on for those around her, and an umbrella to stand under for those who experienced dark and trying times.

We love you.

"Although it is difficult today to see beyond the sorrow, may looking back in memory help comfort you tomorrow."