Albert Frances Cheatham

Services for Albert Frances Cheatham, 86, of Troup were held April 30 at Autry Funeral Home chapel in Jacksonville. Services were officiated by Pastor Ross Brunner and Reverend Tom Moore. Burial followed at Mixon Cemetery.

Mr. Cheatham went home to be with his Lord on April 27, 2008 in Tyler following a short illness.

He was born on Dec. 8, 1921 in Lindale to parents Jesse and Rosella Cheatham. He was married to Elvie Jean McElroy on Aug. 24, 1946 in Whitehouse. Mr. Cheatham has lived in the Troup area most of his life where he was self-employed in the timber industry as a logger. He was a member of the Flint Church of the Nazarene where he has attended church for over 50 years.

Mr. Cheatham is survived by his wife of 61 years, Jean. Other survivors include sons and daughters-in-laws Larry and Jill Cheatham of Frankston, Robert Cheatham of Troup and Royce and Tammy Cheatham of Converse. He is also survived by daughters and son-in-laws Nelda and Mike Pool of Tyler and Angie Cheatham of Troup. Mr. Cheatham also had a close relationship with honorary children Larry and Alicia Williams of Troup and Rita Schmig of Dallas. He is also survived by grandchildren Larry Bob Cheatham, Lance Cheatham, LaGina Cheatham, RJ and spouse Mandy Cheatham, Liz and spouse David Peterson, all of Troup, and Chad Pool, Lyndsey Brunt and Steven Anderson of Tyler, Leigh Ann and spouse Koby Williams of Conrad, Montana, Kayla Anderson of Henderson, Eric Henderson, Whitley Cheatham and JB Cheatham of Converse. Mr. Cheatham had five great-grandchildren: Brett, Clayton, Katie, Layla and Braden.

Mr. Cheatham was preceded in death by three brothers and two sisters. He is survived by a brother, James Cheatham and wife Dorothy of Troup, and three sisters, Estelle Frederick of Arp, Rozy Wyatt of Gladewater and Molly Richardson and husband Wayne of Tyler, as well as numerous nieces, nephews, friends and huntin' buddies.

Mr. Cheatham served in the Civilian Conservation Corps as a young man and later served in the United States Army during WWII. He was an avid raccoon hunter who raised and trained raccoon hounds for many years.

Pallbearers were Larry Bob Cheatham, Cody Branscum, Lance Cheatham, RJ Cheatham, Larry Williams and JB Cheatham. Honorary pallbearers were Chad Pool, Jeremy Carrizales and Steven Anderson.