The Life of CHARLES LEE CHEATEM

Charles passed away on March 4, 2023. A funeral service is planned for Friday, March 17, 2023 at Imani Church starting at 12:00 noon. A visitation will be held at the same place starting one hour prior to the service.

Charles "Chucky" Lee Cheatem was born August 2, 1950, in Chicago, IL to the union of Orange Jr. and Martha Cheatem. He departed this life on March 4, 2023.

Charles attended James N. Thorpe Elementary School and Bowen Junior High School in Chicago. In 1964 the family moved to Kansas City, Mo and there he attended and graduated from Southeast High school. While there, he was part of the track team, and football team and tried out to play professionally for the Kansas City Chiefs, however a severe knee injury in his senior year would prevent this endeavor.

Charles went on to work for the Armco Steel Company but shortly thereafter was drafted into the Air Force where he became an airplane mechanic. He was crafty with his hands and some would deem him a borderline genius. He married his high school sweetheart, Brenda Wren and they had three sons, Brandon, Marlon, and Mario Cheatem. Charles had one daughter, Trisha Sills.

Charles was pleasantly animated and kept family and friends laughing. He was a remarkable storyteller and would take you along with him for a wonderful and funny experience. His knowledge of the Bible would captivate all who would listen as he opened the scriptures with his deep understanding. He often attributed his uniqueness to the fact that he was the only one of 14 born "feet first". He knew the Lord, and the Lord knew him.

He is preceded in death by his parents, Orange Jr. and Martha Cheatem, brothers Anthony, and Joseph, and two sisters Minnie and Frances. Left to cherish his precious memory are his sons Brandon, Mario, and Marlon, and one daughter, Trisha; brothers Orange III, David, John, Russell, Ronald, Maurice, and Johnathan, sisters Kathey Eady, Claudine Cheatem, Deborah (Ronnie) Alexander, and a host of nieces, nephews, and cousins.