Jess Cheatham

Jess Bailey Cheatham Jr.
Jess Bailey Cheatham Jr., 87, passed away May 21, 2014.
A native of Toccoa, Ga., he was the husband of Elizabeth Blain Cheatham, of Pisgah Forest, and the son of Jess B. and Irene Johnson Cheatham.
After attending Toccoa schools, he went on to graduate at Darlington School for Boys, in Rome, Ga. He entered the service during World War II as a midshipman (USNR), and later was attached to HQ 8th Army in the Pacific and the occupa-tion of Japan.
Following the service, he entered Auburn University and later graduated from the University of the South (Sewanee), in Tennessee. At Sewanee he was a member of the varsity football team and a campus leader, being selected for "Who's Who " in American Colleges and honorary organizations, ODK and Blue Key.
He also served as president of his social fraternity, Sigma Alpha Epsilon. His devotion to his alma mater led him to serve two terms on the university's board of trustees and as president of the Sewanee Club of St. Louis, Mo. and western North Carolina.
Upon graduation from college, he joined Armstrong World Industries and held a number of sales and management positions, culminating in being the midwest regional manager. Retiring after 37 years with Armstrong, they moved from St. Louis to Pisgah Forest in 1992.
He served two terms as finance chairman of the vestry of St. Philip's Episcopal Church, in Brevard, and also, sat as chairman of the St. Philip's Foundation. In the community, he was a two term member and vice chairman of the Translyvania County Library Foundation.
Survivors include his wife of 61 years, Elizabeth; four children, Catherine Cash (John), of West Palm Beach, Fla., Elizabeth Lee (Robert), of Des Moines, Iowa, Jess Bailey III., of Dothan, Ala., and Thomas Randolph, of Louisville, Ky.; and three grandchildren, Caitlin, Alex and Chris.
A memorial service will be held at St. Philip's Episcopal Church Monday, May 26, 2014, at 11 a.m.
Internment will be at the family cemetery in Jefferson, Ga.
In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to The St. Philip's Foundation, 256 E. Main St., Brevard, NC 28712, or the Transylvania County Library Foundation.
To leave a condolence message for Cheatham family, please go to "Obituaries" at www.moore-fh.com .
Moore Funeral Home is caring for the family.