Belle Webb Cheatham

Mrs. Annie Belle Webb Cheatham of Hueytown, Alabama, passed away on Wednesday, August 20, 2025 at the age of 100. Named for her great-grandmother, she was born Wednesday, January 28, 1925 in Birmingham, Alabama to the late Wilmer Dickens "Dick" Webb, Sr., and Patsy McKee Kinnaird Webb.

In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her World War II penpal and husband of 63 years, W.E. "Bill" Cheatham, Jr.; her siblings, Wilmer "Bud / Dick" Dickens Webb, Jr. and Patsy Kinnaird Webb Bailey.

As a child growing up in Birmingham, she spent most of her summers with her cousins in Calvert, Alabama. After graduating from Ensley High School in 1943, she attended Massey Business College and went to work at Tennessee Coal, Iron and Railroad (TCI) in Birmingham, riding the streetcar to and from work each day. For two years she wrote and mailed a daily letter to Bill from his "Sweet Pea" until they married in 1946.

While Bill worked as an engineer at Ingalls Iron Works on projects that built skyscrapers across the country, bridges and even The Kennedy Space Center launchpad to the moon, Belle raised her two daughters in the house they physically and figuratively built together that became home for the entire extended family. She also spent several years working with her father, brother and nephew at Dick Webb Insurance. She traveled coast-to-coast in North America many times, even into her 90s.

Having joined McCoy United Methodist Church in 1936, she attended Hueytown United Methodist Church later in life, where Belle volunteered in the food pantry and delivered Meals on Wheels with Bill. With a thirst for knowledge, and a fearless nature, she was full of spunk. She enjoyed a love for sewing, knitting, football, and opera, especially Pavarotti. Known for always accepting others into her family without reservations, she was a walking family historian. Long before the days of Facebook reminders, she was the go to source to find out someone's birthday. She never missed a chance to send a card, handwritten note, email or text to each member of the extended family and her life-long friends. Her family, friends and neighbors will remember her for her unconditional love, deep support, and generosity.

Belle is survived by her daughters, Laura McKee Cheatham Harlin (Blair) and Jane Webb Cheatham Megginson; her grandchildren, Joey Harlin (Mary), Meredith Adams (Gavin), Trice Megginson, and Chris Megginson (Nancy); her great-grandchildren, Adam Harlin, Luke Harlin, Will Harlin, Tyler Adams, Parker Megginson, Alex Megginson, Isabelle Megginson, John Megginson, Mayim Nancybelle Megginson, Sara Megginson and David Megginson.

Not only was she "Mother" to two daughters, and "Nanny" to four grandchildren and 11 great-grandchildren, but also "Aunt Belle" to 14 nieces and nephews, 13 great-nieces and great-nephews, and seven great-great-nieces and nephews. Please keep the family in your thoughts and prayers during this challenging time.

A funeral service will be held at Valhalla Funeral Home and Cemetery, 5317 Bessemer Super Hwy, Midfield, AL 35228, on Saturday, August 30, 2025, at 11:00 a.m. central time. The family will receive friends at the funeral home from 10:00 a.m. until service time on Saturday. The committal service will directly follow the funeral at Valhalla Funeral Home and Cemetery. Rev. John Simmons will officiate the service.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that memorials be made to the National Multiple Sclerosis Society or a charity of your choice.