Judge Frank S. Cheatham

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Celebrating the life of
Judge Frank S. CheathamJanuary 11, 1924 - March 26, 2008

JUDGE FRANK S. CHEATHAM, JR.

Judge Frank S. Cheatham, Jr., died Wednesday, March 26, 2008. He was preceded in death by his parents, Margaret Caldwell Cheatham and Frank S. Cheatham, Sr. He was born in Savannah on January 11, 1924, and graduated from Savannah High School in June 1942, Armstrong Junior College in June 1944, and the University of Georgia in June 1948, where he obtained an undergraduate A.B. degree and a graduate LLB law degree. He was president of the freshman and sophomore classes at Armstrong and the senior class of 1946, at the University of Georgia. He was a member of the varsity debate team and various leadership societies and clubs at Georgia as well as Sigma Alpha Epsilon social fraternity.
A lawyer by profession he became involved in several areas of public service that have provided major benefits to the community and the state. He was elected to the state legislature in 1953, as a candidate of the Citizens Committee, a reform political party, and had a leading role in the passing of a charter converting Savannah to the more efficient Council-Manager form of government. Within two years the city went from near bankruptcy to the well run solvent government today.
While in the legislature, he chaired a study committee that resulted in the Board of Regents reversing its policy against junior colleges which resulted immediately in Armstrong, Augusta and Columbus Junior Colleges being admitted to the University System. Today there are fourteen community junior colleges in Georgia plus six former junior colleges that have been elevated to four year universities including Armstrong.
While in the legislature he led a successful effort to remove fifty million dollars from the appropriations bill which the governor had planned to use for political purposes. He was also chairman of the Appropriations Committee during his last two years in the legislature.
After his legislative career he became heavily involved in the Savannah YMCA. He was president in the 1960s, when the South was changing from a segregated to an integrated society. He led the board of directors in taking a major step forward when they closed an all male white Y in an antiquated 1912 building and constructed and integrated family Y in a new state of the art building on Habersham Street, which was the forerunner of the Y's presently operating in Chatham and surrounding counties.
After practicing law for twenty-four years in associations and partnerships with Luhr Beckmann, Mallie Exley, Joseph Bergen, Charles Sparkman and Douglas, McWhorter and Adams, he was appointed on March 31, 1972, by recently elected governor Jimmy Carter, to fill a vacancy on the Chatham County Superior Court, although he had supported the Governor's opponent, Carl Sanders, a law school classmate. After serving twenty-one years he retired as Chief Judge to Senior Status on August 31, 1993. He resigned from Senior Status on May 2, 2006.
In 1971, he was selected by the state Jaycees as The Most Outstanding Young Man In Georgia. He was past president of the Kiwanis Club, The German Heritage Society, The Savannah Bar Association, The Council of Superior Judges of Georgia and an honorary member of the Rotary Club of Savannah. The Savannah Bar Association in 2005, named the Professionalism Award, its most prestigious award, after him.
He was a lifetime member of Wesley Monumental United Methodist Church and a member of the Fellowship Sunday School Class.
He is survived by his beloved wife of 31 years, Rebecca Aultman Cheatham, a daughter, Margaret Cheatham Hubbard and husband Carter, Jr., a daughter Lara Brotherton of London, England, a grandson Alfie Brotherton of London, and first cousins Sidney Cheatham of Barnesville Ga., Ralph Cheatham of Coral Gables, Fl., Robert Caldwell of Richmond Hill, Ga., Leilou Caldwell Brady of West Palm Beach, Fl., Charles Caldwell of Flat Rock, N.C., and James Caldwell of Cordele, Ga.

Active Pallbearers will be Albert Lufburrow, George Oelschig, Edwin Culver, Dr. Charles Harris, Howard Morrison and Barron Crawford.
Honorary Pallbearers will be Ashley Dearing, Dr. Julian Quattlebaum, Chatham County Judges, Federal District Court Judges and Members of the Savannah Bar Association.

Visitation will be Friday, March 28, 2008 from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. at Fox and Weeks Funeral Directors Hodgson Chapel.

Funeral Services will be Saturday, March 29, 2008 at 11 a.m. at Wesley Monumental United Methodist Church.

Burial will be in the Greenwich Section of Bonaventure.

In lieu of flowers remembrances may be sent to Wesley Monumental United Methodist Church or Wesley Gardens at Wesley, 429 Abercorn Street, Savannah, Ga. 31401 or the Pulmonary Fund at St. Joseph's/Candler Foundations, 5353 Reynolds Street, Savannah, Ga. 31405.

The Family would like give a special thanks to Dr. James Daly, Dr. Judith Porter, Dr. Ken Griffin, Dr. Robert Rawlings and the nurses on the ICU and the Pulmonary Care Unit, especially Paula, for their loving and professional care he received.

FOX AND WEEKS FUNERAL DIRECTORS HODGSON CHAPEL
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GUEST BOOK

To the Family: I most humbly apologize to his family. I knew Judge Cheatham from growing up, across from his residence in Sylvan Terrace in Savannah, GA. He had lived with his parents for many years. A devoted man, servant of his community, his beautiful wife, Becky. My parents, Julius and Danyse Edel, knew Judge Cheatham, as well. My condolences to the family on this delayed message...my most humbled regards to his wife, Rebecca. Thank you. Kenneth Edel

- Kenneth Edel, Duluth, GA

Our family is deepley sadened by you loss. 'The Judge' was a quiet giant that I and my family had the honor of knowing and working with. He will indeed be missed not only by your family but thousands of others. The Hugh Jackson,III family

- Bobbie Jackson, Savannah, GA

Becky, I just wanted you to know I was saddened when I read about the passing of Judge Cheatham. I remember him from long ago at Dr. Haysman's office as being so kind just as you have always been to me. I am praying for your comfort at this difficult time. With God's love, Debbie, RN 4-North Candler

- Debbie Woods, Savannah, GA

Dear Becky, I was so saddened to hear about passing of Frank. He will be missed so much especially from all of us who had the honor and privilege to sit with him every Monday night at the Quarterback Club meetings.He was such a true Georgia Bulldog. Our hearts go out to you and your family.

- Gregg Ewaldsen, Savannah, GA

DEAR BECKY, PLEASE KNOW THAT MY THOUGHTS AND PRAYERS ARE WITH YOU AND YOUR FAMILY AT THIS TIME. THE PEOPLE OF SAVANNAH WERE BLESSED TO HAVE KNOWN JUDGE CHEATHAM. KAY HALLIGAN

- KAY HALLIGAN, SAVANNAH, GA

Dear Becky, we're all very saddened by Frank's death. He was an outstanding lawyer/judge and an incredible guy. Frank was one of the good ones. He was a thoughtful, fair, hardworking, intelligent judge, and a complete gentleman. He never spoke ill of anyone, was diligent in his work, and a good friend to his colleagues and all attorneys appearing in his court. As a young attorney, I appeared before Frank on a number of cases and he was exactly what a judge should be -- fair and open-minded. He was always quick to say hello and ask how you were doing. He liked talking about his cases and he really loved the camaraderie of attorneys. Besides being a fair and honest judge, Frank was a kind- hearted warm soul that loved his family. He was one of the few in our profession that went out of his way, not only to say hello, but to chat about other things unrelated to the law. And, he was the guy that always had a smile on his face. He will be missed by many. Our hearts go out to you and family. You are in our thoughts and prayers at this truly difficult time.

- Lee and Hope Lassiter, Savannah, GA

Savannah has suffered a great loss with the passing of such a wonderful person. Susan and Reed

- Reed Dulany, Savannah, GA

Dear Becky, We extend our deepest sympathy to you and your family. With Tom being a polio survivor, getting to meet Judge Cheatham was an honor and inspiration to him. The Coastal Empire Polio Survivor Association has lost a real friend.

- Tom and Eunice Newcomer, Savannah, GA

Frank was a wonderful man and he will be missed by all Savannah.

- Joanne & Robert Merritt, Savannah, GA

Judge Cheatham was a remarkable man, admired and respected by us all. Our thoughts and prayers are with you. The Family of Hugh of Betsy Jackson

- Hugh Jackson, Jr. Family, Savannah, GA

My heart goes out to you in this time of loss. I will remember and continue to admire Judge Cheatham's quiet dignity, intelligence, and wit. May God grant you comfort, and may the Judge's memory be eternal. My deepest sympathy--

- Sophia Caparisos, Savannah, GA

Dear Becky, Please accept our sincere condolences on the loss of your dear husband.

- Arthur and Linda Brill, Savannah, GA

I was honored as a youth to know Frank Cheatham. He always had a kind word and a friendly smile when he greeted me and it was a pleasure to have known him since the late 50's.I know he will be missed and was an asset to the Savannah Community.

- Neil F.Crossley, Charlotte, GA

Dear Becky, Our condolences to you and all of Frank's family. He was such a blessing to so many people. With love and prayers, Barbara and Tom

- Barbara and Tom Hetherington, , GA

Dear Becky and family, I am saddened to learn of Judge Cheatham's death. Please accept my sincerest sympathy and know that you all are in my thoughts and prayers. I know your faith and many fond memories will comfort you at this time. Sincerely, Alfred Chassereau

- Alfred Chassereau, Savannah, GA

What a wonderful legacy Frank leaves your family, his community, and all of us who were fortunate enough to have known him. He will be missed, but he will never be forgotten. Please know you are in our thoughts, hearts, and prayers during this sad time of loss. Maxine, Bill, & Malyssa Pinson

- Maxine Pinson, Savannah, GA

Becky - Love and prayers. Words can not convey what Frank and his parents meant in my life.

- Brucie, Savannah, GA