Time waits for no one — but clearly, Landa felt it waited for her. She took all day to get dressed. But, in recent years, after a loving but in-depth conversation about time management, she finally admitted, "I never really had to be dressed ahead of anybody because it was just me — no kids, no rush — I guess I just moved to the beat of my own drum."

And now, her time has come. But true to form, she didn't go easily. Landa didn't concede to death — death had to come and take her. She went out as she lived: on her terms. Bold. Bright. Beautiful. Deeply Loved. Full of Fight.

Yolanda Selene Cheatham (Landa affectionately known as "Yoe-Yo"), 65, courageously transitioned into eternal life after a brief illness on Monday, June 23, 2025. She was born in Barberton, Ohio on November 28, 1959, to the union of the late Elder Arnold Cheatham and Ola Mae Cheatham.

Landa rededicated her life to Christ, accepting Jesus Christ as her personal Savior in March 2025 and was baptized in the name of Jesus. She had been attending Mars Hill ATL in Georgia under the leadership of Pastor Sean Ware.

She attended Akron and Barberton Public Schools and was a proud graduate of South High School, Class of 1978. Landa went on to become a transportation expert. She worked in transportation for over 35 years as a bus operator and rail operator. She even took classes with flying amateur planes and once said she was going to learn all forms of transportation.  She studied modes of transportation— air, rail, motor, and water —at the University of Akron and attended Strayer University, where she majored in Business Administration. Landa was inducted into The National Society of Collegiate Scholars.

She was employed by the DeKalb County School System as a bus operator (the kids called her Ms. C). She worked for the Metropolitan Atlanta Rapid Transit Authority as a rail service controller and Metro Transportation. She held her Commercial Driver's License and served as a union leader, taking her role and responsibilities very seriously – SHE WAS THE SIGN! "HONK FOR SUPPORT". Landa received recognition for high-standard leadership, customer service, safety awareness, and FEMA training.

In 1995, Landa took a leap of faith and moved from her hometown of Akron, Ohio to Georgia, where she built a beautiful life filled with career accomplishments, personal growth and sunshine. But as full-circle stories go, after 30 years away, she made her way back home—back to Ohio, back to family—just in time to be wrapped in their care.

Landa said she best described herself as a free-spirit, adventurous, a great cook, good driver, a listener, a gardener "garden girl," she would call herself and would dedicate most of her vacation time when she came home beautifying her families' yards. Landa was a lover of others. When asked to describe her, others would say she was a great philosopher who could have you caught-up in a conversation for hours. She dominated most conversations, and if you got in a "yes," "mmmhmm," or "okay," you were lucky. Landa was a barrel of fun, full-of-life, a giver, and a fierce defender of family. She was passionate about her beliefs. If she knew, she knew—she was a researcher and a truth-seeker. She was fun, and sometimes funny talking often pronouncing words with "S" in a way that gave "shrimp" or "street" a whole new meaning.

Landa didn't like being alone, she was a people person and well I guess a dog person as well; she found a great companion and best friend in her dog BoBo.

Landa loved music, karaoke, board games, concerts in the park, and dancing. When she danced, she would blow a whistle—a signature move that made everyone smile, throw your hands up and yep let a AAYYYEEE where the party at shout out. She enjoyed the outdoors, grounding, earthing, and especially climbing Stone Mountain in Georgia.

She loved planning small parties, movie nights, with special food and snacks like taco bars and seafood bars and don't forget the drinks!

She was also a holistic and natural wellness lover. She invested in skincare and vitamins. She had a flare for food—especially fruits, vegetables, and vegan recipes that looked "very earthy." Her compliments came with intense smacking and finger-licking, which she claims complemented the cook. Her signature question, "How did you make that again?" was her way of asking you to make it again for her.

She had a fondness for white horses. She had a love for jewelry - especially unique pieces, and artwork. She could spend hours in the Hallmark card aisle looking for the perfect card; never missing a birthday, Mother's Day, Father's Day, or Christmas. She was known for giving amazing and thoughtful gifts.

Though she did not have children of her own, she was a proud surrogate to her many nieces and nephews. We shared our children with her—and she loved attending their activities and youth events.

Yolanda is preceded in death by her father, Elder Arnold Cheatham; sister Birdena Cheatham; nephews, Michael Cheatham and Gabriel M. Cheatham; great-nephews Dylan Armond Bailey, Sincere Flint, Jordan Cheatham, Joshua Flint, Disraeli Palmer; and great-niece McKinley Cheatham.

She leaves to cherish her memory her loving family who cared for her during her brief illness: mother, Ola Mae Cheatham; brothers Arnold Cheatham, Maritte (Denise) Cheatham, and Jonathan Cheatham; sisters Stephanie Diane Chambers-Palmer, Janetta Williams, Reva Link, Gwenola (Kenneth) Freeman, Wanda (Woodrow) Nash, Lisa (Perry) Clark, Phoebe (Luke) Haskin of San Antonio, Texas, and Sonia Vanessa Cheatham.

She is also survived by 38 nieces and nephews, 85 great-nieces and nephews, 74 great-great-nieces and nephews, and 13 great-great-great-nieces and nephews, special aunt Suzanne Ball, lifelong friends Gladys, Ricky, Mary, Fred, along with a host of uncles, aunts, cousins, and friends.

Landa hoped people would remember her as a person that cared deeply for the happiness of others. That she lived life fully, joyfully, and without apology. That she loved her dog, BoBo. That she was a true lover of people - and people loved her right back. She believed her good energy was a gift, a magnet that drew others in. She lived by that energy. She gave it away freely - in laughter, in conversation, in kindness, in presence, in every adventure, in every shared meal.

She was that girl! The one you remembered. The one you felt better just being around. The one who left a mark not just in words—but in warmth, in fun, and in fearless love. She lived. She gave. She glowed. And she left this world full of everything she poured out.

Special thanks to our cousin Jimmy Anderson, Northside Cancer Institute, Emory Northside Hospital, Flying Angels, Cleveland Clinic Akron General, and Cleveland Clinic Hospice for their care and support.

Condolences can be sent to 970 Ute Ave., Akron, OH 44305.

Services will be livestreamed on YouTube:  First Apostolic Faith Church   FAFC THE FAITH PLACE