Memorial Service for James Robert Cheatham
Saturday | March 1, 2025 | 2:00 PM EST
(Visitation before and after)
Kingdom Hall of Jehovah’s Witnesses
652 Riverbend Rd
Altavista, VA 24517
ZOOM ID: 85196659403
PASSWORD: John1125
Edward Carr, officiating
Kingdom Songs: He Will Call and Be Steadfast, Immovable!
James was affectionately known by many names – Jim, Jimmy Lee, Dad and Poppy. Born in 1944 in Eureka, CA, Jim was very young when the family moved to Virginia. At 19, in March of 1963, Jim was baptized as one of Jehovah’s Witnesses. On September 18, 1965, he married the love of his life, Sandy, and by 1984, they had three sons, Chris (wife: Kim), Blake (wife: Jessi) and Ryan. Jim has four beautiful grandchildren, Tyler, Alyssa, Violet and Scarlett. Jim is also survived by his brother, Chuck Cheatham (wife: Phyllis), and his sister, Joanne Burgess (husband: Alan); his brother-in-law, KP (wife: Jane), and four sisters-in-law, Becky, Lynn, Cleo (husband: Henry), and Lois (husband: J.B. Viers). Jim was preceded in death by his parents, Frank and Hazel Cheatham, his brothers, Frank Jr. and Kenneth Cheatham, his brother-in-law, Wayne Hedrick, and two sisters-in-law, Nella Moore and Bernice Blankenship. Jim was a natural born salesman, a big man with a gregarious personality who loved talking – even in his sleep – and he never met a stranger. He enjoyed music and playing the guitar, watching Westerns, traveling and camping with his family, and keeping track of the best greasy spoon in every town he ever passed through. He was huge in life and we will miss his presence every day for the rest of ours. The family would like to sincerely thank everyone for the many calls, texts, visits, meals and gifts. Thank you for the prayers and the encouragement. Thank you for walking our pups. Thank you – truly – for showing up. We’ve felt the love and support and ‘the peace that surpasses all understanding.’ (Php. 4:7) For much needed hope and encouragement, please visit JW.org. Arrangements by Burch-Messier Funeral Home, Bedford, 540-586-7360.