Cheryl Prewitt | |
|---|---|
,_in_1980.jpg) Prewitt in 1980 | |
| Born | February 15, 1957 |
| Other names | Cheryl Salem |
| Alma mater | Mississippi State University |
| Occupation(s) | Singer, author, musician |
| Title | Miss Starkville 1979 Miss Mississippi 1979 Miss America 1980 |
| Predecessor | Kylene Barker |
| Successor | Susan Powell |
| Spouse |
Harry Salem II (m. 1985) |
| Children | 3 (1 deceased) |
Cheryl Salem (née Prewitt) (born February 15, 1957) is an American Christian evangelist, author, musician, and former beauty pageant titleholder, who was Miss Mississippi 1979 and Miss America 1980. She was married to gospel singer Terry Blackwood in the late 1970s-early 1980s.
At age 11, a horrifying automobile accident left Prewitt with a scarred face, a body cast and she was in a wheelchair.[1]
Ms. Prewitt entered, and lost, pageants for five years before winning the crown that would take her to Atlantic City for the Miss America pageant. She won the Miss Starkville and Miss Mississippi titles in 1979.[2][circular reference]
Prewitt became Miss America 1980, despite a history of poverty, sexual abuse, a physical handicap, and a total of 200 facial stitches.[citation needed]
She married Harry Salem II, (the brother-in-law of televangelist, Richard Roberts) in 1985. Along with her husband, she ministers through Salem Family Ministries.[3]
The couple have two sons, Harry III and Roman, and had a daughter, Gabrielle, who died at age 6 in 1999 after being diagnosed with a brain tumor.[4][5]