Martin Deane Cheatham IV

Martin Deane Cheatham IV, 30, of Mechanicsville, passed away unexpectedly on Saturday, January 7, 2023. He was preceded in death by his grandfather, Martin Deane Cheatham Jr. and great-grandfather, Martin Deane Cheatham Sr. Left to cherish his memory are his parents, Martin Deane III and Cynthia Cheatham; grandparents, Peter and Virginia Clay; sister and brother-in-law, Caroline and Daniel Schiele; brother and sister-in-law, Clayton and Savannah Cheatham; and loving girlfriend, Emily Porter. Deane attended the Collegiate School and graduated from Hanover High School in 2011 where he excelled at football and lacrosse. He was an exceptional athlete who won many championships and was twice selected to the 1st Team All Metro Football squad. He continued his football career at JMU where he became the starting tight end and team Captain. Anyone who played with or against Deane quickly recognized his passion for the game and tenacious spirit. Deane graduated from JMU in 2015 and began his coaching career as a graduate assistant by helping JMU win the National Championship. He went on to work as an assistant coach at Marshall, Western Carolina, and Austin Peay. In 2020, Deane moved back home to his beloved Hanover County and found true happiness working and living near his many friends and family. He will be missed every single minute of every day. The family will receive friends on Wednesday, January 18, from 2 to 4 and 6 to 8 p.m. at Fairmount Christian Church, 6502 Creighton Rd., Mechanicsville, Va. 23111, where a funeral service will be held on Thursday, January 19, at 11 a.m. Interment will follow in Signal Hill Memorial Park. In lieu of flowers, please send donations to the JMU “Deane Cheatham Memorial Fund”.