Obituary of Johnnie Cheatwood

Johnnie Cheatwood, 89, passed away at his home on December 29, 2017.

Funeral service will be at Usrey Funeral Home Sunday, December 31, 2017 at 2:00 pm. The family will receive friends from 1:00 pm until service time. Kevin Jones will officiate.

Johnnie was orphaned at the young age of 9. He struck out on his own at the age of 14 from Delta to the big city of Talladega where he met and married Julia Elizabeth Blackburn in June of 1947. Shortly after, Johnnie founded Cheatwood Garage. Over the next 8 years they would welcome four children. He dedicated his entire life to God first then his family. He loved spending time in his garden, fishing, and picking and singing with his children and grandchildren. He mentored numerous young men in the trade of auto mechanics and instilled the virtues of purity, integrity, responsibility, and ingenuity in everyone he knew. He was a founding member and deacon of Shiloh Baptist Church. He was the most Godly, gracious, kind hearted man to ever walk this earth and will forever be missed by all that had the honor of knowing him.

He was preceded in death by his son, Leslie Ray Cheatwood.

He is survived by his wife of 70 years, Julia Cheatwood; son, Russell Cheatwood (Dee); daughters, Beth Clark (Richard), Sue Gallahar (Steve); grandchildren, Rich Clark (Denise), Todd Cheatwood (Pam), Andy Clark, Mark Gallahar (Tosha), Jenni Warlick (Brandon), Anna Booth (Daryl), Lisa Jones (Shaun); great-grandchildren, Devan Huffaker, Colby Cheatwood (Amber), Julia Clark, Jacob Warlick, Lauren Warlick, Isabella Cheatwood, Ava Booth, Charlotte Clark, Donavan Booth; great great grandchildren, Easton Johnson and Madalynn Cheatwood.

In lieu of flowers the family requests a donation be made to the charity of your choice in memory of Johnnie Cheatwood.

Special thanks to Alacare Hospice nurses, Wendy, Jami, Angelina and Sheree. Also special thanks to caregiver Connie Scott.

On line condolences may be offered at www.usreyfuneralhome.com

Usrey Funeral Home of Talladega will be directing the services.