Mother Marilyn Jean Cheathem (Vassar)

Mother Marilyn Jean Cheathem entered eternal rest to be with her Lord on Saturday, December 3, 2022, at her residence in Vassar, Michigan. Age 84 years. Marilyn was born on January 14, 1938, to Nathan Howard and Hattie Vaughn.

Mother was married to J.D. Cheathem for thirty-nine years. She lived in Vassar, Michigan for fifty-six years, and was employed at Grede foundry for twenty-eight years. Mother Cheathem was a member of Greater Ephesians COGIC, Vassar, Michigan, under the honorable Superintendent Harold Jones. She led intercessory prayer for forty years and served as a church mother, executive board member, head of the Women’s Department, Special Advisor to the Pastor and Wife, and ambassador of love to the entire church. Marilyn let it be known that she loved all of her children the same.

Mother Marilyn Jean Cheathem leaves to cherish her memory three daughters, Debra Bridgewater, Vassar, Michigan, Carolyn (Dwane) Sample, Saginaw, Michigan, and Tushja (Nickary) Cheathem-Subula, Saginaw, Michigan; one son Anthony Mario Bender; eighteen grandchildren; thirty-one great-grandchildren; four great-great-grandchildren; one niece, Valerie (Honey) McCall; nine nephews, Melvin, David, Johnny, Stanley, Mark, Tyrone, and Troy Howard, Spiva Haynes, Lawrence Braddock; many other relatives and friends including special friends, Mark Howard, a/k/a the man that writes checks, LOL, Superintendent Harold, and Miss’y Althea Jones, Greater Ephesians, Bishop Earl, and Lady Fay Fisher, Unity of Faith, Gloria Deen Walker, Bonnie and Bob, Woodrow Murphy, Hugo (Diaroyce) Mack, and Pastor James (Charlene) Snead, Greater Love Ministries.

Mother was preceded in death by her husband, J.D. Cheathem; four sons, Artis, Terry, Tracey Lorenzo, and Floyd Bender, Jr.; one daughter, Constance Washington; one grandson, Tamarus Bender; one sister, Margaret Braddock; mother and stepfather, Hattie (Gus) Harper; father, Nathan Howard; three brothers, Otis, Odell, and Cornell Howard; grandson, J.D. D’Angelo; and son-in-law, Amos Bridgewater.

The family would like to express special thanks to Superintendent Harold and Althea Jones, and the Greater Ephesians Church family.