Irene Cheatham Herron

Irene Cheatham Herron was born to the late Ernest Cheatham, Sr. and Mary Toussaint Cheatham, on June 24, 1925 in Browntown (Labadieville), Louisiana. She accepted Christ at an early age, and was baptized at New Belmont Church, by the Reverend James J. Antoine. Her favorite scripture was Psalms 27:1 “The Lord is my light and my salvation—whom shall I fear?” Faithful throughout her transition from this life, she continued to praised God and exault His Holy Name.

Irene loved learning—excelling in all her school subjects. In 1952 she was installed in the John A Bell Sovereign Grand Lodge of the Eastern Star. In 1954 while living and working in New Orleans, Louisiana she met Rhoecus Herron, Sr. They married after a two-year courtship and relocated to Chicago, Illinois. There she became a community activist, advocating for Civil Rights, and Social Justice, alongside with her sister Pearl. Irene worked at the Rehabilitation Institute in Chicago as a Nursing Assistant. Irene, a natural caregiver, received favorable reports for her exceptional work ethics, skills and her commitment to patient care.

In 1970 Irene return to Browntown as a single mom. Her enjoyment in life was undeniably her son Rhoecus, Jr. and her family. Irene loved her people, and her people loved her. She was witty, good-hearted, kind, and compassionate to everyone she met. Irene soon realized being back home wasn’t as fulfilling as she expected. So, in 1989 she joined her son in Sacramento, California, to help care for her grandchildren.

Irene really (really) loved to read; she devoured books. She loved novels, History, Word Search, and her favorite, the Bible. She enjoyed cooking and loved to share her favorite recipes. Writing, crocheting and gardening, were also favorite pastimes of hers. She volunteered at the Senior Center sharing her gifts; but caring for children was her first love. There were always children at her home, and everyone received her love.

On May 20, 2025 one month shy of her 100th Birthday, with her son and daughter-in-love at her bedside, our beloved mother, sister, grandmother, Nana, great grandma-nana, auntie, cousin and friend, received her spiritual wings. She was promoted into the loving arms of our Heavenly Father.

She is preceded in death by her parents, Ernest Sr. and Mary Cheatham; her siblings, Ernest Cheatham, Jr., Pearl Moore, Lester, Cheatham, Omega Rodriguez, and Thomas Cheatham, II.

She leaves to celebrate and cherish her life, her loving and devoted son, Rhoecus Herron, his wife Cloteal (Elk Grove, California); her Sister Alice Robertson, Brother-in-law Pleasant Lee (Labadieville, Louisiana); Sister-in-law Dorothy Cheatham (Ponchatoula, Louisiana). Grandchildren, Rashetta Jupiter (Shawn, Sr.) Thibodeaux, Louisiana; Rashawn “Sean” Herron (Dallas, Texas); Amber Buer (Tim) Coon Rapids, Minnesota; Carissa Stevens (Dalton) Fridley, Minnesota; Jenae Malekebu (Marcel) St. Paul, Minnesota; Bonus-grandchildren, Ben Isaac (Cornelia) Denver, Colorado; Yana Smith (Allen) Mansfield, Texas. She was blessed with a beautiful blended family of seven (7) Grandchildren; fourteen (14) Great-grandchildren; and four (4) Great-great grandchildren; a host of loving nieces, nephews and friends, who loved to spoil her. They would spend time talking, laughing, dancing, sharing stories, eating, and giving praise to God. She would always say, ”never say goodbye,” but “so long until we meet again.” The sky is brighter—Rest in Paradise.