Andrea E. Cheatam

Andrea Elizabeth Cheatam was born in Jersey City, on October 30, 1949 to Marguerite and John Cheatam. She was one of ten children.

She attended PS #39 School up to the 6th grade.  When her family moved to East Orange, she continued her education at V.L.D Jr. High and East Orange High School. She graduated high school in 1969.

As a teenager Andrea attended Calvary Baptist Church where she was baptized and joined the Youth Group and served as a junior usher.  She was very popular in and out of school because she was so jovial and fun-loving. Her most favorite activity was attending “Evening Camp.”

Soon after graduation, Andrea married and lived for a period in California and Hawaii.  She returned to New Jersey where her three children were born. After years of being apart, Andrea reunited with the love of her life, Sanford Wilson, affectionately called “Babe”. They lived in Washington, D.C for a time before settling in Baltimore. 

Andrea loved taking care of people.  As a teenager she was a candy striper and she voluntarily cared for senior citizens who lived nearby.  She was loved by so many people and she was affectionately called Nana by her grandchildren and by all who knew her. 

Andrea was a “wonder woman” who for many years was diagnosed with several illnesses.  However, she adjusted to them and continued to live a vibrant full life with her family. She was a fighter like no other. She fought a good fight and now the victory is hers.

Andrea passed away peacefully in her daughter’s home where she was always surrounded by her loving children, grand and great-grandchildren and other loved ones.  She was preceded in death by Babe, her parents, and brothers Jackie and Jerry.  Andrea leaves to cherish her memories, her siblings: Bill, (Carol) Ed, (Debbie) Carlene, Fatimah, (Fikre) Khalilah, Mark and Hawwah; her children: Dr. David Brown, Tonya Neale (Frank), Raymond Wilson (Nicole); grandchildren: Nefetari Garrison (Montez), Zaire, Ayana, Jaleel and Boe, Raheem, Rahquil, Ramell, Remi and Rheagan; great-grandchildren: Mahki, Nevaeh, Mazari, Nehemiah, Jaylen, Bryson and Aniiah; extended family, loving cousins, and friends.  Andrea will be greatly missed by all.

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