Robert Lee Cheatham Jr.

Robert "Bobby" Lee Cheatham, Jr. went on to his eternal home, and to be with those that passed before, in the early hours of December 28, 2023. For many years, his body tried to let him down but he was determined to stay longer. God finally decided that his work here was done and he was needed more up there than down here. He probably had some dirt work that needed to be done up in heaven and required the best heavy equipment operator to do it.
Bobby was born on November 18, 1955 at Eglin Air Force Base, Florida. He was the first born to Robert Lee Cheatham and Nellie Mae Willingham. Five siblings followed: Larry Cheatham, Evelyn Cheatham, Roger Cheatham, Brenda Crum, and Howard Cheatham. He graduated from Niceville High School in 1974, then married his high school sweetheart, Sherrell Chessher, in August of that same year. His first daughter, Kellie Cheatham, was born 10 months later. Kimberly Cheatham Cole was born five years later, followed soon after by the baby of the bunch, Kurtis Cheatham. Brittany Wilson then came along as a bonus daughter. From these kids came one of the greatest sources of joy for Bobby, many grandkids, great-grandkids and, of course, granddogs.
To know him was to love him. He never met a stranger and would give you the shirt off his back. Rarely would you see him when he didn't have a mullet net in a 5 gallon bucket in the back of his truck and usually a grandchild tagging along. This practice started back when his own kids were very young and he would take them to work with him in his dump truck. He taught them all kindness, the value of hard work, the meaning of family, and how to love big. He also instilled in them a profound love of the woods, whether it be riding on the reservation, jumping in a creek, baiting a hook, or just sitting in a tree stand enjoying the sounds of nature (just make sure you didn't forget to put a honeybun in your pocket). His "second home" was his hunting camp in Alabama where many, many fond memories were made and will never be forgotten.
He was preceded in death by his parents and sister, Evelyn. Survivors include his wife of 49 years, Sherry; four siblings Larry, Roger, Brenda and Howard; children Kellie Cheatham, Kimberly Cheatham Cole and husband Craig Cole, and Kurtis Cheatham; grandchildren Haven Linton, Jaden Godwin, Kaden Jackson, Jalen Jackson, Joey Jackson, Sydney Brown and Benton Cole; nine great-grandchildren; and many, many cousins, nieces, nephews and honorary kids who were always treated just like his own and were always welcome to visit or stay as long as they wanted.
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