A bouncing baby boy was born on January 2, 1945 in Knoxville, TN. Howard grew up and attended public school in Seattle, Washington with his childhood friend, Jimi Hendrix. He loved music and could be often found playing his bass guitar. He is a veteran of the Vietnam and Afghan Wars, where he earned several medals. During his military and civilian careers, he completed tours in Panama, Philippines, Germany, Italy, Spain and Japan. Howard retired from the United States Air Force with the rank of Senior Master Sergeant in September 1988 and worked for the Corp of Engineers as a Systems Accountant.
Howard joined the Strangers Rest Baptist Church in 1996, where he served in many capacities and was a faithful member. He was ordained as a deacon in 2017. He served as a deacon, trustee, assistant business manager, financial administrator and church treasurer.
Howard Cheatham, Sr. was preceded in death by his parents, Nina Sloan Cheatham and Hiram Cheatham; special mother, Erma Lee Johnson and brothers, Charles Cheatham, Frank Earl and James Cheatham.
On Saturday, February 3, 2018, Howard Cheatham Sr., husband, father, brother, passed away at the age of 73 years old. Howard will be forever remembered by his wife and best friend, Bonnie Heslep Cheatham; their children, Deborah Cheatham, Howard Jr. (Sheila), Yvette Shaw, Tamala Williams, Patrice Mason (Frederick) and Youmeka Turner (Randy); grandchildren, Veronica Ortiz, Aunry Moore, Kameron Moore, Raven Moore, and Howard Pulley and Nahla Shaw; Special little ones-Great Grandchildren, Ayden Moore, Bonnie Moore, Braylen Pierce, Cayden Pierce and Ryleigh Pierce; Sisters, Mary Elizabeth Rucker (Earl), Margaret Bell, Annie Lamb; sisters-in-law, Willie Criss, Nita Chase, Lavonne Johnson, Ladwaina Ray and Edna Dieudonne; brothers-in-law, Rickey Johnson, Alvin Chase, and Hancy Dieudonne; special nephews, Claude Cheatham, Stan Treece, Daryl Cheatham and Frank Cheatham, Jr., and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins and friends.