Dwane Cheaves was born to Alex Cheaves and the late Veronica Cheaves on September 11, 1969, in Bradenton, Florida. He graduated from Manatee High School in 1987; Dwane also attended Samford University.  Dwane was employed by Tropicana. Dwane was a member of 11th Street Church of Christ.

Dwane was preceded in death by his mother, Veronica Cheaves; older brother Alex Cheaves, Jr.; his paternal and maternal grandparents; many aunts and uncles as well as cousins.

Dwane is survived by His father Alex T. Cheaves, Sr.; Four children Samantha Ruffing, Tosh Cheaves, Damon Cheaves, Dashaun Cheaves; Grandchild Nas Ruffing; Brother Reginal Cheaves (Janice); Nephews Chris Brown (Eureka) and Reginal Cheaves, Jr. Paternal aunts and uncles Betty Al-Ghani (Karim), Iona Gavin, Michael Cheaves, Sr., Richard Cheaves (Mattie), Thaddeus Cheaves, Sr. (Tiki), and Willie Cheaves, Sr.; Maternal uncles Johnnie Cummings, Jr. (Ammie), Theodore Cummings (Alecia). Many beloved cousins and friends.