Cheryl Susan Ellis Hinyard left her earthly life for heaven at the age of 76 on November 1, 2026 surrounded by her family. 

Cheryl was born July 16, 1950 to Joe H. Ellis and Lucille Ellis in San Saba, TX. She grew up on the family ranch in Sloan Community and eventually came back home to retire. Cheryl graduated from San Saba High School in 1968 where she loved being a cheerleader for the mighty San Saba Armadillos. She was involved in numerous capacities including National Honor Society, Student Council and officer of various organizations. She entered the working field shortly thereafter, gaining experience in all aspects of the business industry including working for and serving as Assistant Supervisor for an airline service out of Frankfurt, Germany International Airport. After returning to the states, she was employed by San Saba National Bank where she served as Vice President. She also served as Treasurer of the American Cancer Society. 

In 1982, Cheryl married Mike Hinyard, who was her first date, being invited to his 8th grade prom. Life then took her and Mike to Breckenridge, TX were she was employed by John R. Cook Law Office for twenty-one years until such time as she retired and moved back home.

Cheryl was a member and served as a Sunday School teacher for the First Presbyterian Church of San Saba, and as a member and elder in the First Presbyterian Church of Breckenridge. She also served as Vice President on the Board of Directors of the Breckenridge Fine Arts Center. After returning to San Saba, she then became a member and elder in the New Hope Presbyterian Church ECO in the Sloan Community where she grew up, was a faithful member and served as President of the Women of the Church until her health worsened. She was also a member of the Texas Southwest Cattle Raiser’s Association. In 1994, the Ellis Ranch was recognized for over 100 years of ranching by the Texas Land Heritage in Austin. Striving to maintain and improve the ranch land, in 2019, the Ellis Family Ranch won as award for Area 2, composed of fifty districts for Conservationist Ranchers of the Year through Texas State Soil and Water Conservation Board. 

Cheryl’s hobbies not only included working cattle and various activities on the ranch, but she also enjoyed the times of going to watch her son Jared, play, then coach football. A favorite and special time was having gatherings on Easter weekend with her boys, Cody, Jared, and Dustin cooking food on the pit and the kids enjoying activities along with a big family Easter egg hunt. Her grandchildren were a special highlight to her in all the many and various activities of sports, dancing, and singing. She enjoyed fishing, especially those fishing trips with her sisters which were totally competitive, cooking (where you could always count of plenty to eat), and having coffee each morning with husband Mike on the patio, soaking in the peace of God’s beauty. She captured pictures of many sunrises from that patio. Together, they enjoyed special events and times with great lifelong friends. Her faith and trust in God has been so instrumental throughout her life.

Survivors include her loving and devoted husband, Mike, son Cody Lynn Sanderson and wife, Anjie, son Jared Kirk Sanderson and wife, Sundi, bonus son, Michael Dustin Hinyard and wife Shana, and bonus daughter, Brittany Demil Hinyard. She was known as Meme by her grandchildren, Mitchel, Michael, Brianne, Kiana Montgomery and husband, Nathan, Leigha, Colt, and Averi Sanderson, and Stephanie McDowell. She is also survived by her two sisters, Sylvia Taylor, Mary Jo Smith and husband, Armand Smith, one brother, Joe H. Ellis, Jr and wife Kathy, brothers in law and sister in law, Gene Hinyard and Kenny Hinyard and wife, Jeannie. Also surviving her are special nieces, nephews, cousins, and many friends that she dearly loved as well as her beloved Aussie, Zeke.

Cheryl was preceded in death by her parents, Joe H. Ellis Lucille Ellis, and one bother, Thomas Sloan (Tommy) Ellis.

Memorials made be made to the Sloan Cemetery, %Kathy Oliver, 7090 CR 308, San Saba, TX 76877, the New Hope Prebyterian Church Eco, 9615 FM 2732, San Saba, TX 76877 or to the charity of your choice.