Born January 22, 1953, in Cerulean, KY. to Edward Radford and Mary Magdalene Jessup Barbee.
She was the third child of eighteen children. She graduated from Trigg County High School in 1971. Bettie accepted Christ at an early age at Pleasant Hill Missionary Baptist Church in Hopkinsville, KY, where her father served as Pastor. She ultimately served faithfully at Woodlawn Elizabeth Missionary Baptist Church for over 38 years in various ministries.
A woman who worked tirelessly – Bettie worked for 20+ years as the Activity Director at Clarksville Nursing and Rehab. She believed that her calling was to serve as an escape for every resident who entered her facilities doors to remind them that their new home will be a place filled with love and enrichment physically, spiritually and emotionally. After retirement, she spent her days selling Avon and taking care of her children and grandchildren while running her son’s appliance store, where she would remind him that she is actually “The Boss”.
A Homemaker. She was famous for her macaroni and cheese, corn bread dressing and the best oatmeal in the world. She looked forward to hosting her family for every holiday. Her house was always an open door for her children and grandchildren, knowing that they would walk in at any moment to see what was in the refrigerator. She loved showing off her Avon Dolls and Bells she collected from all over the world. She was affectionately know as “Aunt Betty Ann” as she was a surrogate mother and grandmother to many.
As the First Lady of Woodlawn Elizabeth MBC for the past 38 years, Sister Cheatham stood alongside her husband, Pastor Clarence Ray Cheatham, Sr. serving with grace and a smile that touched the hearts of every person who entered the doors. Her hat and smile in her third pew was a staple her church family will never forget.
She leaves to cherish her husband of 45 years Pastor Clarence R. Cheatham, Sr., three children; Tarenda Cheatham, Terrance Cheatham, and Pastor Cedric Cheatham; Bonus children, Clarence Cheatham, Jr., Melissa (Andre) Green, Troy Radford; Nine grandchildren, Dontez (Cherish) Bosley, Mashad Cohen Phoenix, A. J. Greene, Jakia (Jamario) Myles, Anterrian Cheatham, Jordyn Hornbuckle, Arrionna CHeatham, and Myrham Cohen; great-grandchildren, Sidney Coley, Tariah Cheatham, Kamaya Long, Eziah Wynn, Cole Bosley, Ja’Miyah Myles, Carmelo Cheatham, Jamario Myles, Jr.; Siblings, Roy (Jean) Radford, Elizabeth “Carnation” Stepp, Lydia Larkins, Elaine (Selby) Grubbs, Frances Radford, Ronnell Johnson, Coy Radford, Rev. Dennis Radford, Rev. Moses (Calvonia) Radford, Fredrick Radford, and Hilda Radford.
She is preceded in death by her father: Rev. Edward Radford; her mother Mary Magdalene Jessup Barbee; Her Siblings, Evelyn Beatrice Radford, James Ananias Radford, Billy and Willies Lee Radford, Herletta Laverne Radford, and Kenneth Lewis Radford.
Funeral Service: Saturday, December 7, 2024, 12:00 PM, Walnut Grove Baptist Church, 1641 Walnut Grove Rd, Clarksville, TN 37042.
Arrangements are in the care of Gamble Funeral Home.