Deacon Robert Cheatham

CHEATHAM, Deacon Robert - Age 76, passed away Friday, February 14, 2025, at his residence. Family hour 10:00 AM Tuesday, February 25, 2025, at New Jerusalem Full Gospel Baptist Church, 1035 E. Carpenter Rd., with funeral service commencing at 11:00 AM Pastor Alfred J. Harris Jr., officiating. Interment Lovedale Memorial Cemetery, G-5175 E. Bristol Rd., Burton, MI. Friends and pallbearers will assemble at the church 10:00 AM Tuesday. Deacon Cheatham will lie in state in the Chapel of Lawrence E. Moon Funeral Home, 906 W. Flint Park Blvd. and may be viewed from 12:00 PM - 6:00 PM Monday. Deacon Robert Emerson Cheatham was born July 31, 1948, in Port Arthur, TX. The son of Fannie Marie Castyle and Willard Cheatham. Robert moved to Flint with his mom, sister, and stepfather at an early age, and was educated in the Flint Community School, graduating from Southwestern High School. He was employed at Fisher Body #1, a division of General Motors Corporation where he paused his time to join the United States Air Force. He served in the military four years earning the title of Sergeant. Upon serving his time, he came back to Fisher Body and resumed working and later was promoted to supervisor until it closed. He then moved on to Buick City earning the title of General Foreman, assisting in the closing of another plant. He then moved on to his last GM facility before retirement GM’s Engine Plant where he retired in 2009. In the early 70s he became a member of the Third World Traveling Truckers Van Club, where he made lifelong friendships although giving up his van days for a shiny new Cadillac, those friendships remain. He had been a devoted and faithful member of New Jerusalem Full Gospel Baptist Church for over 40 years, where he became a member of the Deacon Board and sung with the Kings Men’s Choir. He loved being a member of New Jerusalem where he enjoyed studying the word. He loved his family, traveling, suit & hat shopping. He traveled to various cities with his family looking for a “good deal” on a suit. He was an avid reader; you would often see him on the couch or in “his” chair reading his Book. Deacon Robert Emerson Cheatham leaves to cherish in his memory: his children, sons, Jeffrey (Nicole) Strickland of Columbus OH and Kevin (Rebecca) Cheatham of Las Vegas NV; daughter, Lynnette Cheatham of Chicago IL; granddaughters, Jaylee & Rian Strickland both of Columbus OH, and Mariah Cheatham of Las Vegas, NV; sisters, Peggy Garner and Patricia Garner, both of Flint, MI, and Tracey Cheatham of Beaumont, TX; nephews, Robert Blond of Phoenix, AZ, Roy Garner, LuJuan Jackson, Kenny Thames, and Jason Thames, all of Flint; nieces, Sheri (Derrick) Joshua, Robbyn Johnson, Cassandra (Michael) Lewis, LuJuanda (Bobby) Blade, and Katrina Bradley, all of Flint; sisters-in-law, Carolyn (LuJuan) Jackson, Annette Strickland and Brenda Thames, all of Flint; a host of other relatives and friends including special friends, Rosa Burnett, Clarence Wheeler, and Michael Hightower. Deacon Robert Cheatham was preceded in transition by his wife, Bobbie Jean Strickland-Cheatham; mother, Fannie Garner; father, Willard Cheatham; brothers, Herman Garner and Ronald Earl Garner; sister, Leona Blond; and nephew, Roderick Garner . The family wishes to express thanks to Pastor Alfred J Harris Jr. and the New Jerusalem Full Gospel Baptist Church family.

Deacon Robert Cheatham

July 31, 1948 - February 14, 2025