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Peggy Ann Williams was born on March 27, 1946 in the southern town of Wilson in North Carolina. An only child borne out of the union of James (“Jimmy”) Williams (deceased) and Doris A. Williams, Peggy was called into existence to bless this earth with humor, compassion and a wealth of joy. Many were drawn to her engaging and charismatic personality that oftentimes kept family, friends and even strangers pleasantly amused. That was Peggy at her God-blessed finest and emotionally fittest.
The Young Girl, Wife, Mother and Grandmother
Rarely does one have the benefit of being nurtured within a rich, village culture; yet, for a period of time, Peggy was blessed with that privilege. Early on, she was raised in a household that consisted of one first cousin, Thelma Rountree (deceased), her peer and younger second cousin, Sybil Wilson (deceased), her mother, Doris, and a maternal aunt, Lula Rountree (deceased). Even then, Peggy exhibited strong-willed tendencies and as an adolescent would every so often strain the patience of her elders. The effervescent Peggy who’d try women’s souls, was never spared the rod in those instances nor an abundance of love throughout her childhood, all of which helped shape her into the woman she would grow up to be.
Upon graduating from Brooklyn’s historic George H. Wingate High School in 1964, Peggy wed her then young love, Willis G. Cheatham, Sr., a budding education professional. From that union, they were blessed with two sons: the elder Willis G. Cheatham, Jr. and later, their younger, Jemal Aaron Cheatham, Sr. In Peggy’s eyes, heaven couldn’t have created two more perfect male specimens. They were truly the delights of her heart. A mere mention of either one’s name, and her eyes would glisten and a smile adorn her face. They, too, loved their mom immensely.
Good mothers are a blessing, and grandmothers are truly extra-special. Peggy fell within the realm of extra-special. If necessary, Peggy might possibly climb the highest mountain, swim the deepest sea or even fly on an airplane (which petrified her) for the good benefit and wellbeing of her three grandchildren – Tishonna, Willis, III and Jemal, Jr. If love could be called by any three names, it would be these three.
After years of marriage, Peggy divorced and decided to carve out a professional career for herself with the New York City Department of Social Services. Initially, she was hired as a Case Worker. Some years later, Peggy was promoted to an IT Analyst for the Department of Social Services. For over forty years, Peggy poured heart and soul into her profession, assisting the public at-large with any and every available resource for their wellbeing. During this time, Peggy also forged many lasting and rewarding friendships with co-workers that have endured until this day.
Fun, Faith & Farewell
Peggy’s uncanny timing for joke telling and mimicry were never in short order. Like many of her beloved matriarchs and patriarchs whose humorous traits she inherited, Peggy could spin a tall tale and imbibe without missing a beat. In the days of discos, divas, dives and her youth, Peggy, along with her three cousins and cohorts: Pat, Paula (aka Sybil) and Matrice, found a source of fun and frolic at various Brooklyn haunts, namely: Tar Heel I and II, Brooklyn Slim and many others. From these social settings, wonderful friendships evolved that have endured the test of time. Traveling the Continental U.S., cruising the Caribbean and cross-country train excursions were many of Peggy’s favorites. However, most cherished was an annual chartered bus ride where Peggy, family and dear friends traveled to Wilson, North Carolina from Brooklyn, New York for the Memorial Day weekend festivities of reunions, barbecues and an overall grand time. Lastly, nothing gave Peggy more joy than the gathering of family and friends for her festive family Christmas dinners. It was a banquet of almost every dish imaginable that, for nearly three-decades, delighted the palates of so many people.
Around the mid-eighties, under the leadership of the late Reverend George H. Murray, Peggy was moved to join Mt. Pisgah Baptist Church -- the Crown Jewel of Brooklyn. For many years, she contributed her time and talents to various ministries. Under the pastoral leadership of the (then) Reverend Dr. Johnny Ray Youngblood (now Bishop Youngblood), Peggy became increasingly more involved by committing her energies and expertise to Mt. Pisgah’s Finance Department, and later heading up Mt. Pisgah’s usher team, Los Amablés. Peggy was also actively involved with the Church’s drama and dance ministries, as well as its Christian Education Boot Camp ministry. Up until health issues restricted independent travel to or participation in kingdom work, Peggy could always be counted among the number to help facilitate Mt. Pisgah’s every endeavor. Although, while under special professional care at Signature Senior Living, Peggy received added touches of love from family and friends.
Jesus said to her,
“I am the resurrection and the life. Whoever believes in me, though he die, yet shall he live,
and everyone who lives and believes in me shall never die. Do you believe this?”
~ John 11:25-26 {ESV}
Early Monday morning on September 28, 2020, Peggy answered her call to rest from this life in Brooklyn, New York. Survived by her mother, a nonagenarian at 95 years young, Doris A. Williams, (Brooklyn, New York), Peggy also leaves two sons to cherish her loving memory and amazing life: Willis G. Cheatham, Jr., (West Hempstead, New York) and Jemal Aaron Cheatham, Sr. (Karen) (Washington, DC); her daughter-in law Andrea Cheatham (West Hempstead); three grandchildren: Tishonna Ferguson, (Jersey City, New Jersey), Willis G. Cheatham, III, ((West Hempstead) and Jemal A. Cheatham, Jr. (Silver Spring, Maryland); brother Kareem Latief (Waldorf, Maryland); sister Mary McCannon (Memphis, Tennessee); and a host of other family members including paternal half-sisters and half-brothers, beloved cousins across the nation, special friends, dear neighbors, and her cherished Mt. Pisgah Baptist Church family.
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