Eleanor Cheadle McBride

Eleanor Cheadle McBride was the first child born to Milisia Finley Cheadle and Mose Cheadle, St.  Eleanor was born on Monday, November 15, 1920 in Milburn, Oklahoma.  Maternal grandparents are Melvina Jackson Finley and Simon Finley, Sr.  Paternal grandparents are Julia Cheadle Brown and Samuel Cheadle.

Eleanor’s grandmother, Julia Cheadle Brown, was very influential in Eleanor’s early childhood development.  Eleanor attended the public schools of Johnston County, Oklahoma.  Eleanor’s family moved to Tishomingo, Oklahoma.  Eleanor’s father passed away in August 1938.  Throughout her mid-teens and early adulthood Eleanor worked as a housekeeper to help take care of her family.  Her oldest son, Ralph Cheadle was born March 24, 1943 in Tishomingo, Oklahoma.  The Cheadle family soon relocated to Ardmore, Oklahoma.

During World War II Eleanor met Robert McBride, a sergeant stationed at Fort Hood, Texas.  On January 5, 1946, Reverend E. Jennings Perry, then pastor at First Baptist Church, married Robert and Eleanor in Ardmore, Oklahoma.  In March 1946, Robert was honorably discharged from the U.S. Army.

In May 1946, the newlyweds moved to Robert’s hometown of Mullins, South Carolina with their newborn son, Robert Louis.  The family united with the historic Mr. Olive Baptist Church and remained faithful members.  Six more children were added to the family.  Eleanor was a full-time homemaker, during her 21 years in South Carolina.  After their youngest child, Samuel, had attended elementary school for a few years, Eleanor stared working outside the home.  At first, her work was limited to part-time summer employment.  Later her employment culminated in seven years of full-time employment in the furniture manufacturing business.

In March 1977, Eleanor decided to return to her native Oklahoma setting in Oklahoma City where she had brothers, sisters-in-law, nephews, nieces, cousins and other relatives.  Eleanor united with the Tabernacle Baptist Church shortly after arriving in Oklahoma.  Eleanor was a faithful and devoted member of her Women’s Missionary Union Circle #2 and the Senior Women’s Sunday school class.  Eleanor’s husband, Robert, departed this life in March 2004.  She attended Tabernacle Baptist Church until her health precluded in August 2011.

Eleanor departed this life on Monday, April 18, 2016 in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma.  In addition to her parents and husband, Eleanor was preceded in death by six brothers; W.C. Caruth, Denver Cheadle, Sammie Cheadle, Jackson Cheadle, Overton Joe (O.J.) Cheadle, and Mose Clarent (M.C.) Cheadle.  Three sisters; Velma Cheadle Winston, Betty Cheadle Warren and Violet Ruby Cheadle Forbes.  One son; Ralph Cheadle, Sr.; two grandchildren; Ralph Cheadle, Jr. and Nycole McLaughlin.

Eleanor leaves to cherish her memories: her children Robert Louis (LaVetta) McBride of Edmond, Oklahoma, Devoe McBride of Oklahoma City, Oklahoma.  Rosetta McBride Page of Rocky Mount, Virginia, Jerome Edward McBride of Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, Bobbie Jean M. McLaughlin of Florence, South Carolina, Kenneth McBride and Samuel (Orleatha) McBride of Oklahoma City, Oklahoma; one brother, John (Arthur Mae) Cheadle of East Palo Alto, California; two sisters-in-law, Bettye Cheadle of Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, and Elnora Caruth of San Diego, California; one daughter-in-law, Karen Cheadle of Stockton, California; 15 grandchildren, 29 great-grandchildren, and 9 great-great grandchildren; and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, relatives, friends, and church family.

We loved and will miss Eleanor but God Loved her Best.