Cheryl Salem, from Ackerman, Mississippi was Miss America 1980. Cheryl Prewitt-Salem grew up in the community of Chester in Choctaw County, Mississippi. She is now married to Harry Salem,. She has two sons and a daughter who is deceased. Her daughter lived longer than the doctors predicted, and that just marked one more miracle in Cheryl's life. She is a strong politically conservative, evangelical Christian. At age 11 a horrifying automobile accident left Cheryl with a scarred face, a body cast and a wheelchair, all of which she overcame to become Miss MSU, Miss Starkville, Miss Mississippi, and Miss America. Cheryl is now proselytizing all around the world. She speaks at many churches, get-togethers, and conferences. Cheryl was previously married to Terry Blackwood of Christian music fame. Cheryl's swimsuit/pageant company, C.P. Annie Productions, is located in Tulsa, Oklahoma. The Salems have written a book to honor their daughter Gabrielle entitled, from Mourning to Morning, with inserts from Benny Hinn, Oral Roberts, Eastman Curtis and many more. 

January 1st, 1957 in Ackerman (Age 67)