June 23, 1951 – April 22, 2022
On Friday night, April 22, 2022 in God’s infinite wisdom, He called his child home. Mr. James Tyrone Cheives, Sr. was born June 23, 1951 to the late Edward Jasper Cheives, and India Raines Pearson. He was also preceded in death by a devoted step-father, Robert Pearson, his father-in- law, Otha Lee Stokes; siblings, Calvin Cheives and Hibernia Dyson, and her brother-in-law, Deacon Herbert Wilson.
He was a 1970 graduate of Peabody High School. Upon graduation from high school he started his military career. SGT James Cheives performed the duties as A/C Maintenance Administrative Clerk. He transferred from Marine Corps Reserve performing the duties of an Engineering Clerk. He retired from the United States Marine Corps Reserve. He became a civilian and worked at Brown & Williamson Tobacco, Inc. in Petersburg, VA. After Brown & Williamson, James worked for the Defense General Supply Center, retiring in 1998 after suffering a massive stroke. His love of working and being around people did not stop him as he worked volunteering as a greeter at Southside Regional Medical Center. James also enjoyed furthering his education as he took classes as often as he could continuing his education over the years at John Tyler Community College.
He joined Mount Olivet Baptist Church at an early age. He loved singing in the choir and working with the Share Ministry until he became ill. James was definitely a family man, from being the President of the PTA, to participating in the Jaycees, and the Teen Express Group. He always wanted his children to try new things, from being at valid lessons, taking his girls on their first flight, introducing his son to karate, trying football, to even helping the grandchildren with swimming lessons. He enjoyed family get-togethers, and being the host. Even when there were hard discussions, he was willing to listen and wanted to know what was happening with each of us. No matter if he had an opportunity to see us on a regular basis or if we were not able to be there, he loved us all in his own way.
Leaving to cherish his memories, his loyal wife of 33 years, Lucy; devoted son, James Cheives, Jr.; daughters, Tonia Alexander (Cleon) of Afton, VA and Sonya Saunders (Tony) of Clayton, NC; eight grandchildren, Alysia, Alexis, Justice, Justin, Anthony, India, Kyndal and Benjamin. James is also survived by his siblings, Robert Cheives (Virginia) and Judy Dabney (Deacon Gerard); mother-in-law, Mable Stokes; a sister-in-law Deacon Glory Wilson; two brothers-in-laws, Irby Stokes (Shirley) and Linwood Stokes (Denise); a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, other relatives and friends.
A special thank you to the staff of Suncrest Hospice, McGuire Veterans Medical Center-Home Based Primary Care, Virginia Primary Associates and the Mount Olivet Baptist Church family.Services will be held 12:00 Noon, Saturday, April 30, 2022 at Mt. Olivet Baptist Church, 800 Augusta Avenue, Petersburg, VA, the Rev. Dr. Wesley K. McLaughlin, Pastor, eulogist. The interment to follow at Sunset Memorial Park.