Obituaries

Bobby Lee Cheatham Jr. (57)

Bobby Lee Cheatham, Jr. (57), a native and life resident of Madera, CA passed away on January 28, 2022. He was a graduate of Madera High School class of 1982. He worked as the Manager of McDonald's on Howard Road and was currently a supervisor at the IRS in Fresno.

Bobby is survived by his children: Vanessa Ramirez of Fresno, Janelle Flippo of Fresno, Maryrose Cheatham of Madera, and Erica Simmons of Madera, CA., as well as his siblings, James Cheatham of Chowchilla, CA, and Sonja Smith of Madera, CA.

Frederick Gordon Nix (75)

Fred G. Nix (75), died January 24, 2022, from a sudden illness. Born November 17, 1946, he was the only son of the late Gordon and Ann “Walker,” Nix in Madera, California. He attended local schools including John Adams, St. Joachim’s, Brenda, and Madera Union High School with the Class of 1964.

On graduation night instead of going through commencement exercises with his classmates, he opted to attend a Rolling Stones concert in Fresno a move he never regrated. He attended Fresno State and Fresno City colleges. After college, he worked for the Madera County Road Department. In the 1970s he owned the local Radio Shack franchise.

Owner of GBS Passes Away: H.B. "Bud" Smith 91

MADERA - The owner of Madera's hardware store, General Builders Supply, passed away Sunday at the age of 91. Mr. H.B. “Bud” Smith, Jr., a native of Bradford, Arkansas and a resident of Madera since 1947, was a member of the First Christian Church in Madera and served as a member of the California National Guard at the Merced Unit for 10 years.

In 1947 after he moved to Madera from Arkansas he was introduced to a lovely young woman, Betty Creamer, as a 16 year old she was young and beautiful, Bud was a wise 17 year old and made sure she was home by 10 pm or there would be no date the following Saturday. They were married on September 3, 1949 and have enjoyed 72 years of life together.

Mrs. Sarah Rodriguez (80)

Mrs. Sarah Rodriguez (80) was born in Superior, AZ to Marcelino and Sara Lopez. Soon after birth, she and her family moved to Madera, CA where she was then a lifelong resident. Sarah and Max Rodriguez were married on September 29, 1962, and lived happily for the next 59 years.

Sarah had three children, Barbara Dolan, Karen Scrivner, and Mark Rodriguez. She also has two grandchildren, Davis Pogue and Juliana Pogue. She was immensely loved by her family and friends. Sarah will truly be missed.

Billie Mahon (80)

Billie Mahon (80) passed away peacefully at home with family by her side on Tuesday, December 28, 2021. She was born in Mesa, Arizona on November 10, 1941, to William and Eva Marie Gaines. The family, including older sister Gloria (Nana) and younger brother William (Wee-um) lived all over, eventually settling in Madera where Billie would live the rest of her life.

She met the love of her life, Bob Mahon, at Madera High. The two were married in 1960 and had a wonderful life and marriage together that included their four children: Ruth Ann, Robert, Patricia (Tricia) and Susan (Susie).