James Elwood Cheatham, III, son of James Elwood Cheatham, Jr. and Lilla Dewberry Cheatham was born on January 3, 1895, in the community of Oaky Streak, Butler County, Al.
He received his early education at Calera High School, Calera, Alabama. In 1916 he graduated from Troy Normal School, Troy, Alabama, and then taught for one year at Black in Geneva County, Alabama. He continued his studies at the University of Alabama; while a student there, he was called into the U. S. Army and served in World War I. He received an honorable discharge from the Officers Training School, Camp Pike, Little Rock, Arkansas, on January 24, 1919. After his discharge from the Army, he returned to South Alabama and has been a resident of this section since then.
Soon after coming to Opp, he was employed by the First National Bank of Opp and was serving as Assistant Cashier when he accepted employment with the Opp-Micolas Mills. He served these two mills since their organization; during the more than forty years he was there, he served in various capacities–Bookkeeper, Secretary, and Comptroller. When he retired on December 13, 1963, he was serving as Vice President in charge of Finance at these two large institutions.
Mr. Cheatham has been active in the religious activities of this area; now a Deacon in the Opp First Baptist Church, he was also a Sunday School Superintendent and served as Chairman of the Board of Deacons.
He is a member of the American Legion and is a past Post Commander of Gold Star Post Number 87, Opp, Alabama. He has served on the City Council and as a member of the City Planning Board. He was instrumental in organizing the Opp Chamber of Commerce and served as its first President, holding office for two terms, 1947-48 and 1948-49. He has been a member since the Chamber of Commerce was organized and feels pride in the accomplishments of this organization. Mr. Cheatham is a life member of Alcazar Shrine Temple of Montgomery, Alabama, having received fifty-year membership recognition from the Shrine Club. He is a life member of the Masonic Lodge and received twenty-five-year Masonic recognition.
Mr. Cheatham was one of the leaders who envisioned the idea of a hospital for Opp and assisted in the preliminary planning that brought about the completion of the Mizell Memorial Hospital. He served as Secretary to the first Board of Trustees, Mizell Memorial, and is a member of the present Board of Directors.
In 1964, Mr. Cheatham was elected as a member of the Board of Directors, First National Bank, Opp, Alabama.
Mr. Cheatham, Dr. J. C. Hurst and L. M. West was among those interested people who helped to organize the Opp Country Club and to design its building and golf course. In partnership with other Opp citizens, Mr. Cheatham organized and opened the first sewing factory in Opp. He was instrumental in the building of Opp’s first football field and provided funds to light the first football field in Opp. Since his retirement from the Opp-Micolas Mills, Mr. Cheatham has occupied himself as a Tax Consultant and Public Accountant.
Mr. Cheatham is a charter member of the Opp Rotary Club and served as its President in 1946-47. He and his wife have attended International Rotary Conventions in Chicago, San Francisco, Philadelphia, Atlantic City and New York.
Mr. Cheatham married Ruby Irene Long of Guntersville, Alabama, on July 16, 1946; they have no children.
The citizens of Opp recognize Mr. Cheatham for his business acumen, for his genuine interest in people, for his genial disposition and good manners, and for the remarkable Scope of his activities in a challenging and anxious world. They honor him for his willingness and ability to deal with matters of eternal human concern. He was inducted into the Hall of Fame in 1980.
