Cheri Barry has dedicated her life to serving others. Cheri is a 1977 graduate of the University of Mississippi. She began her professional career with the Lafayette County welfare system, helping children and geriatric abuse victims. She later worked with the Lauderdale County Welfare Department. A former business owner, Cheri operated B.J.'s Alley – a $2 million corporation. From 1998 to 2001, Cheri taught in the Meridian Public Schools system. She served as the Executive Director of the Key Chapter of the American Red Cross from 2001 until 2009.
Cheri Barry has been married to Rick Barry for 31 years. They have three children, Jennifer Barry Fowler and her husband, David; Jay Barry and his wife, Catherine; and Merritt Barry.
Awards and Achievements
2007 Citizen of the Year – Meridian Star (Outstanding Leadership and Service)
2006 Humanitarian of the Year – Junior Auxiliary
2006 Woman of the Year – Meridian Star Reader’s Choice
2006 Community Involvement Award – DAR, Samuel Dale Chapter
2006 Unity Award – Mission Meridian
2005 Humanitarian of the Year – Junior Auxiliary (Time, Talent, Effort Contributed to the Betterment of Our Community)
2005 John C. Stennis Award – Kemper County Chamber of Commerce
2004-2005 Adviser – Partnership for a Healthy Lauderdale/Newton County
“Meridian has always been my home and always will be,” says Mayor Barry. “As mayor, I will decrease frivolous spending and lower the tax burden. I will repair our city's roadways, bridges, and water management systems. I will clean our city's streets of litter, restore safety to our neighborhoods, and increase property values. I will create open-door policies, repair relationships with other government entities, and work with all diversities of Meridian to ensure that all our citizens' needs are addressed.
“Meridian's people are resilient, strong, and hard-working. They are my family, my friends, my neighbors, my colleagues. We deserve ethical, sensible, and responsible action in government.”