Cheryl Merritt Barry (April 19, 1955 – December 24, 2023) was an American politician who served as mayor of Meridian, Mississippi.

[3] Barry narrowly defeated Democratic challenger Percy Bland to become the first female mayor of Meridian, Mississippi.

[4] On Tuesday, July 7, 2009, shortly after her first City Council meeting, Barry vowed to make good on a campaign promise to have the community more involved in the governing process.

[11] On June 7, 2011, Mayor Barry and other local officials held a ground-breaking[clarification needed] for the Meridian Law Enforcement Center.

[12] In June 2012, after a delay in construction, Mayor Barry announced the official approval to move forward with the Meridian Law Enforcement Center, and detailed the proposed financial structure for the city project.