Barbara Lambert Cheatham

Barbara Lambert Merrill Cheatham, passed away on Sunday, February 22, 2026. Barbara was born October 7, 1944, in Northeast MS, to Charles Homer Lambert and Violet Davis Lambert.

She married her high school sweetheart, George Otto Merrill. They were married for 15 years and had two loving children, Sharon "Sherry" Winkler and George "Joey" Merrill (Robin).

Barbara married Joseph Cheatham in May of 1989. Together, they lived happily in Booneville, MS, until the time of Barbara's retirement, at which that time, they moved to Mobile, AL. They enjoyed many adventures in their 26-year marriage. Joe passed away in 2016. Barbara enjoyed the last years of her life living at Somerby Retirement Community where she made many good friends and met a special friend, Phil Kizer.

She is survived by her children; six grandchildren, Jennifer Merrill, Tara Atkinson (Travis), David Hill (Lea), Benjamin Hill, Georgia Merrill (Oliver) and Adam Merrill (Isabella); two great-grandchildren, Jackson Hill and Aubree Atkinson; sisters-in-laws, Dorothy Lambert and Annabelle Lambert; two nephews, Alan Longshore and Charlie Lambert (Brittany); and one niece, Carol Eckel.

She is preceded in death by her first husband, Joe; her parents; sister, Eunell Longshore (Bill); brothers, Leo Lambert and Jack Lambert; and one daughter-in-law, Deanna Miller Merrill.