The seventieth birthday of Dr. Wallace McClain Cheatham was celebrated at St. Mark AME Church, 1616 W. Atkinson Ave., on Oct. 4, featuring Cheatham, soprano Cecilia Davis, and the New Jubilee Community Choir in a musical performance. The concert opened with a group of pieces that showcased Cheatham playing St. Mark’s pipe organ. Five spirituals, composed by Cheatham in 1991, were beautifully sung by soprano Cecilia Davis with the composer at the piano. The New Jubilee Community Choir, conducted by Cheatham, brought the concert to a powerful conclusion with the music of Andre Thomas and Richard Smallwood. In lieu of gifts, donations were given to St. Mark’s Katherine M. Dale Music Scholarship. Pictured (standing, from left) are: St. Mark AME Church Pastor Darryl Williams, Dr. Wallace Cheatham, and Kimberly Cheatham; and (seated, from left) Dr. Cheatham’s mother, Mrs. Frances Cheatham and his wife, Faye Cheatham.
