James Morris Cheatham was born July 14, 1936, in Hughes Springs, Texas to the late Minnie
Holloman and James Thomas Cheatham.

He met and married Ida Williams and with this union were six children. They were married for over
60 years. He loved his family dearly.

He was employed by Associated Springs Corporation. While there, he contributed to the success of
the company by inventing a production process. He was also employed by Safeway and later worked
for the Dallas Independent School District. In 2003, he retired from Dallas County Schools.
At an early age, he accepted Christ as his personal Savior and attended Love Chapel Baptist Church in
Hughes Spring, Texas. When he relocated to Dallas, Texas, he moved his membership to Progressive
Missionary Baptist Church where he served as a faithful member. During his membership
at Progressive, he sang with the Male Chorus, was a member and President of the Deacon Board,
and was President of the Senior Choir.

Dominoes was his game, so much so, that he was referred to as the "Great One". He enjoyed hunting,
fishing and his love for softball inspired him to organize a softball team which he named Cheatham "C"
Strikers. During his tenure as a softball umpire, he impacted the organization. He was instrumental
in leading the way for minority umpires to call games in the remodeled Kiest Park at a time when
discrimination was evident. He was not shy when it came to singing. "Darling You Send Me" by Sam
Cooke was one of his favorite songs to sing to his wife.

It was important to him that the integrity of the family history be captured accurately and
remembered. His mother, Minnie Holloman Cheatham (her parents: Radd and Cilvia Holloman);
father, James Thomas Cheatham (his parents: Frances and Wesley Cheatham); four sisters, Ethel
Jewel Traylor, Mary Frances Jones, Esther Mae Webster, Emma Jane Leffall; four brothers,
Edward Cheatham, Alfred Cheatham, Clarence Cheatham, Jimmy Cheatham, and son-in-law,
Leo Jason Adams preceded him in death.

He is survived by his wife, Ida Cheatham; three daughters, Joyce Sterling of Lancaster, Texas, Sheila
Adams of DeSoto, Texas, Belinda Hardy (Rufus) of Flower Mound, Texas; three sons, Carl
Cheatham of Saginaw, Texas, Otis Cheatham of Dallas, Texas, Calvin Cheatham (Sheryl) of DeSoto,
Texas; one brother, Freddie Cheatham (Iola) of Dallas, Texas; one sister-in-law, Mattie Moore of
Shreveport, Louisiana; 21 grandchildren; 36 great-grandchildren; a host of nieces, nephews,
cousins, other relatives, and friends.