Meet Cherlynn

A native and lifelong Kentuckian, Cherlynn Watley Stevenson has devoted her life to the well-being and service of those in her immediate community, her heritage of Eastern Kentucky and throughout the great Commonwealth of Kentucky.

Cherlynn grew up in Hindman, Kentucky, located in Knott County and the mountains of Eastern Kentucky. She is the daughter of Shirley Conley Watley, a retiree after a 28-year career in elementary education in the Kentucky Education System, and Harold Watley, a United States Army veteran who retired after working almost 40 years in the coal mining industry across the Appalachian region. Cherlynn was taught the value of sacrifice, hard work, service above self and familial ties at an early age and has never abandoned those core tenets. 

After graduating from Morehead State University with a degree in Behavioral Sciences, she began working in the health and wellness industry serving large corporations, hospitals, and non-profit organizations focused on building a better community for all.

Throughout her career, Cherlynn has been centrally focused on providing opportunity, education and enablement that serves the entire community and its best interests. She’s an acknowledged leader with a remarkable ability to understand community concerns and unify the effort to resolve them. 

Cherlynn continues to develop her experience and represent Kentucky in communities across the country in partnership with organizations such as The Breeder’s Cup, RunTheBluegrass and Distilled Living. With her infectious demeanor, she’s traveled across this great nation to build relationships that are Kentucky Proud.           

Cherlynn is deeply experienced in serving and leading associations like the Rotary Club of Lexington, The Toy Chest, CASA of Lexington, American Heart Association, The Hope Center, Habitat for Humanity and countless others. She’s worked side by side with volunteers and project beneficiaries, as well as held leadership roles.   

Her true passion project has been the American Cancer Society, where she’s championed the cause and helped to fundraise more than $2 million in the fight against cancer. She continues to advocate for patients at the local, state and federal level governments via their Cancer Action Network. Cherlynn has served on the ACS Lexington Leadership Council and was honored for her tireless work at the 2016 Belles & Beaus Gala.

Cherlynn is recognized by those who know her as a steadfast servant with original thinking and the courage to adopt new strategies. Her life’s work is on building effective leadership to benefit all citizens and continue to cultivate the prominence of our Old Kentucky Home.  

Cherlynn was first elected to the Kentucky House of Representatives in 2018. She and her husband Chris have been married for 21 years and have lived in the 88th district for the past 22 years. They currently make their home in the Stuart Hall neighborhood, with their three sweet kitties, Peanut, Butter and Jelly.