Cheryl White

Cheryl White passed away and went home with the Lord at age 65 on September 20, 2019. Born on October 29, 1953, Cheryl was the Daughter of Raymond White Sr., and Doris Jean Gorske, who preceded her in death. She was a graduate of Grand Valley High School in Orwell, Ohio. Cheryl earned an academic scholarship to attend Bowling Green State University in Bowling Green, Ohio and was planning on becoming a math teacher, with a focus on algebra. However, she decided to pursue her other passion for a little while, and then attend college. That passion was becoming a jockey, and that little while turned into a long while. The passion to become a jockey came naturally as she was born into a horse racing family. Her father Raymond White Sr. was an accomplished thoroughbred horse trainer, her mother Doris was a racehorse owner. Cheryl was the first black female jockey in the world. She graced the cover of Jet Magazine in July of 1971 for this historic accomplishment. She rode her historic first race at Thistledown Racetrack in Cleveland, Ohio on June 15th, 1971. The next day Cheryl was on the front page of the main Cleveland OH newspaper, The Plain Dealer on June 16, 1971. Cheryl's career spanned 21 years as a jockey, winning over 750 races. However, she remained a 'racetracker' her whole life always working in the racing industry. After retirement from riding in races she went to work behind the scenes. As her friends would say, 'Cheryl knew every single job involved on the racetrack, from jockey's valet, to being one of the three Stewards that sits at every racetrack. Cheryl White is a true legend and will be missed terribly by all who love her. She is survived by her brother, Raymond White Jr., nephews Raymond White III, Christopher Scott, Luciano White, niece Nikki White, great-nieces, Jocelyn White and Sheena White, great-nephew, Raymond White IV, and the hundreds of racetrack friends that were her extended family. In addition to her parents, Raymond and Doris, she was preceded in death by her beloved dog Nicky, which her mother and her shared ownership. Service will be announced at a later time.