Cheryl Anne Porter passed away August 25, 2004 after a valiant battle against cancer. The national speaker, writing instructor, and acclaimed author of 22 novels was born in Savannah, Ga., and lived in Germany, England and many U.S. cities before settling in Tampa in 1998. Cheryl earned a B.A. in American literature from the University of Oklahoma and attended graduate school at the Universuty of Central Oklahoma, where she taught. Also in Oklahoma, she taught public school and worked for an orthopedic practice. A National Readers Choice Award-winner, Cheryl earned honors for her novels in historical mystery, Western fiction and contemporary romantic comedy. The U.S. Library of Congress chose her first book, "Jessie's Outlaw," for its prestigious Rare Book Collection. Cheryl spoke on writing to audiences nationwide, keynoted at the renowned Chautauqua Writer's Institute, and taught college-level fiction writing in Tampa. She also was a popular quest on radio and television.