No Visitation

Service: Saturday April 6, 2013 11:00am St. Mark Baptist Church 1703 Lemon Avenue Long Beach, CA 90813

Interment: Forest Lawn Memorial Park 4471 Lincoln Ave Cypress, CA

Earnestine Viola Moultbia was born on February 5, 1912 to the late Arthur and Nettie Moultbia of Okmulgee, Oklahoma. She was the second to the youngest of 5 children. Earnestine accepted Christ at an early age of 10 years old at Alameda Baptist Church in Dumas, Arkansas. She was involved in the Church; she sang in the choir and was on the usher board. Earnestine received her education from Dumas High school in Dumas, Arkansas.

Earnestine was married to Mr. Hildren Cheatham, a Long Beach civil rights activist. They were both involved in the NAACP (National Association for the Advancement of Colored People) and the Optimist International Club. They operated the famous drive-in dairy at 20th Street and California Ave. (now named Martin Luther King Jr., Ave.) for eight years. They retired in 1968.

The Cheathams resided on the historical Lemon Avenue block for many years, where the McBrides, the Evans, the Gibbs, the Jones, the Andersons and many other families lived. Hildren Cheatham passed away on June 18, 1988. They were married for 31 years.

Earnestine was a breast cancer survivor. She had a successful breast cancer surgery in April 2009.

Earnestine was best known for her Fashionable outfits and hats. She also was an excellent cook. In her golden years, she liked listening to Melinda Lee radio talk host who talked about everything pertaining to cooking and recipes. Mrs. Cheatham loved sports. She loved the Lakers, football, and baseball. Everywhere Earnestine went, people loved her personality and her wonderful smile.

On March 28, 2013, she took her last breath. She died to live again with her blessed Savior.

Preceded her in death were her parents Arthur and Nettie Moultbia, brother Ernest Moultbia, twin sisters Ada and Ida Moultbia, sister Orleatha Moultbia, husband Hildren Cheatham of 31 years, and son Rosco L. Armstrong.

She leaves to cherish her memories, God-daughter Glenda Dixon, God-son Jackie Dixon, one cousin, Sherry Martin (Lawrence), special people in her life, Archie Dixon, Robert Dixon, Richard Rhea, Betty Anders, Theola Anderson, Monique Cason, Anabelle Cohn, Gustie Ballot, Jerry Boykin, Della Ford, Joyce George, Gloria Gaxiola, Zelma Hawkins, Margaret Ingram, Gladys Johnson, Clara Lee, Bobbie Lang, Diane Lymon, Naomi Montgomery, Debbie Rhea, Pearline Taylor, Lisa Vega, Barbara Washington, Wilma Powell, and a host of cousins and special friends.

It's a great life!
Earnestine