Cherie Lynn Ralston, Gods loving angel, was born on October 4, 1962, in Marion, Ohio, to two loving parents, Norman Keith Ralston and Elaine Garnet Sharpe. She was their eldest child, and she grew up alongside her brother David. She attended and graduated from Marion Harding High School in 1980.
Afterwards, she moved to Mansfield, Ohio and attended Ohio State University, receiving an Associates of Art degree in 1982. She also worked at J.C. Penney working her way up to assistant department manager. Her warn personality, strong work ethic and love of clothes made this an easy accomplishment for her.
In the Early 1990s, it was time for a change in climate and to start anew. She moved with her mother to Temple Terrace, FL and attended the University of South Florida, receiving her Bachelor of Arts in Psychology, in 1996. She always had a strong desire to learn.
From there, she moved to Bradenton, FL with her mom, for she always wanted to make sure, she was cared for. She started a computer business for four years, as well as worked as an office administrator for a psychiatrist practice till 2003. She next started working as an office manager for Comprehensive Med Pych Systems in Sarasota, FL. By far her favorite job, she worked there for 13 years. During this time, her mother passed away (2013) and she met her future husband, Todd Buttorff. They became husband and wife on October 31, 2015.
Deciding to take a break from a life of hard work, Cherie briefly retired for a couple of years. She became an avid traveler, and she, along with her husband Todd, went on many numerous adventures. She briefly went back to work at a call center but was diagnosed with cancer. She worked, while bravely enduring treatment. She was a natural born fighter. She beat it by the end of 2021, took a break from work, and did more travelling with Todd throughout 2022 and 2023. During this time, life became normal again, and she relished the time.
In 2024, cancer returned again, this time in a new form. She went to battle with it, enduring the painful treatment bravely. She persisted, and won once more, but the victory this time would be short lived. She relapsed in 2025 and fought a valiant battle till the very end. This warrior princess passed peacefully away at home on November 26, 2025. Few have fought so hard while enduring so much.
Cherie was preceded in death by her parents. She is survived by her husband Todd, and her brother David Ralston of Fountain Hills, Arizona. She is also survived by her cousin Donald Stroud and his wife Marilee and their children, Eric and his wife Erica, Megan and her husband Andy, and Kathleen and her husband Brian, and their respective families, as well as Bobby Stroud, her cousin as well. On her husband's side, she is survived by her sister-in-law Cynthia Buttorff as well as her sister-in-law Deanna Valdes and her husband Gus, and their two daughters, Lauren and her husband Adam, and Victoria and her husband Miguel.
A memorial service will be held to celebrate her life on Saturday, January 3, 2026, at 2:00pm at Brown and Sons Funeral Home, 5624 26th Street West, Bradenton, FL 34207 (26th Street Chapel) followed by a gathering at her subdivision's clubhouse.
If inspired, please donate to one of her favorite causes; The National Center for Missing and Exploited Children, the ASPCA, or The American Cancer Society.
Brown & Sons Funeral Homes & Crematory 26th Street Chapel, 5624 26th Street West, Bradenton, Florida, is in charge of arrangements.
