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To all of our family, friends and colleagues, thank you very much for the outpouring of love and support that you have showered on our family during the past few days. My loving father, Cecil Hunter Houston, passed on Thursday, July 20, 2017, in Atlanta. Your calls, visits, hugs, kisses, cards, texts, emails, Facebook posts, and words of sympathy and encouragement have lifted our spirits tremendously during this challenging time. Words cannot adequately express how much the family appreciates each of you.

My father meant so much to so many. Daddy was full of love and expressed his love and his light in a myriad of ways. Daddy was a family man. Daddy was a community servant. Daddy was a friend.

Daddy and his grandchildren

As the oldest child of four, I can speak about my Daddy as a father. My siblings, Rhonda, Cecil II, and Rhesa, and I could not have asked for a better father. Daddy loved his children, and he expressed his love to each of us and every day. As a matter of fact, Daddy was always there for us. If we ever looked in the audience or even over our shoulders, he was there. He attended and participated in all of our events and activities as children and adults—school, church, co-curricular, sports, community organizations, professional engagements, you name it. In fact, I cannot remember a time when my Daddy was not there for us. My siblings and I could always count on Daddy.

As a family man, Daddy was also a loving husband. He cherished my mother, and he showed us as his children, by example, how a man should treat his wife. This year, my parents would have celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary in November! Daddy and Momma have had an incredible life together!  You must read their love letters in The Makings of An Everlasting Love via Love Letters.  They are soooo hilarious yet romantic!

Daddy and his grandpets.

Daddy was also devoted to his community. He believed in creating community and community service. He volunteered, led and founded many community organizations. He took care of his neighbors. He volunteered for schools. He mentored youth and young adults. He analyzed and implemented solutions to community challenges. Essentially, Daddy understood the importance of community. Daddy believed in and practiced that the way you impact community is by being involved in and a resource for the community.

Finally, Daddy was a friend. He called and kept up with all of his friends, no matter how near or far. If he considered you a friend, Daddy would keep up with you. Often, he would call just to see how you were doing. Daddy knew how to be a true friend.

The Houston Family

Despite the fact that our family is saddened by my father’s passing, The Houston Family is delighted to celebrate Daddy’s life with everyone he loved and who loved him. We welcome all whom he has touched throughout his 72 years of living to join us in our celebration. We ask our family and friends, however, not to come with a heavy heart. Come with a spirit of celebration! My Daddy lived a good life and his light continues to shine brightly. That is what we want to celebrate—the life and light of Cecil Hunter Houston.

Cards and Financial Contributions (preference):
Loretta Houston
P.O. Box 43003
Atlanta, Georgia 30336

Flowers – Atlanta:
The Houston Family
740 Ambrose Lane
College Park, Georgia 30349

Flowers – Brownwood
Brownwood Funeral Home
2512 Belle Plain St.
Brownwood, Texas 76801

Host Hotel – Brownwood, Texas:
La Quinta Inns and Suites
103 Market Place Blvd.
Code for Group Rate $99/nt: Houston Family, (325) 641-1731

Funeral Director:
Brownwood Funeral Home
Brownwood, Texas

Celebration of Life Services – Schedule of Events:
Download as a PDF
(Information will be updated daily)

Atlanta, Georgia

Tuesday, July 25, 2017
6:00 pm Celebration of Life Memorial Service
Providence Baptist Church
1773 Hawthorne Ave.
College Park, GA 30337

Brownwood, Texas

Friday, July 28, 2017
6:00 pm Brownwood Tour
(Please meet Bennie Houston Community Center parking lot at 5:45 pm. Caravan will leave at 6 pm.)

7:00 pm  The Houston Family Bash
(Community Welcome)
Adams Street Community Center
511 East Adams Street

Saturday, July 29, 2017
4 pm Celebration of Life Services
Grace Chapel
Howard Payne University
1012 Center Avenue
See attached campus map (Building #21) for directions and parking.
HPU is providing special provisions for the disabled for access to the chapel:  please enter campus from Center Avenue.

6 pm The Repast/La Comida
Gomez Restaurant
716 W. Commerce St.

8 pm Cecil’s Soirée/La Fiesta
Aldersgate Enrichment Center
5001 Hwy 183/84 E
Early, Texas 76802

Sunday, July 30, 2017
10 am Family Devotional Service
Bennie Houston Community Center

Categories: General Topics

13 comments

  1. Comment by Wanda Steele

    Wanda Steele Reply July 24, 2017 at 5:31 pm

    It is good that Cecil is getting some much-needed sleep! Just as Jesus called Lazarus to awaken from sleep, we look forward to Cecil answering the call…
    Luke 11:43

    Wes & Wanda Steele

  2. Comment by Shelley Danzy

    Shelley Danzy Reply July 24, 2017 at 7:14 pm

    Oh, yes, Mr. Houston welcomed all! His life was an incredible testimony of loving-kindness, which lives on in all of you. His legacy is evident. Celebration of a life well lived, indeed! Love & prayers for you all.

  3. Comment by Glynis

    Glynis Reply July 24, 2017 at 8:01 pm

    Cecil and Lo took me in as a freshman at Howard Payne. I remember baby sitting Rhonda and Ramona was always a trip and I learned early on how special they were and how special their parents were. Doc was an old man when he was young because he possessed wisdom, kindness, and the ability to convene the right people before they knew they were the right people. I love both of them and so appreciate their model of being a loving, dynamic, ever ready family to serve mankind and the Lord. Lo, I know your pain, your emptiness, and that in the months to come you will seek out a conversation as we have done for the last 46 years. I love you Houston Family. Doc, I am sure heaven can use some community organization. Get after it in your new healthy body. Love you all Glynis Holm Strause

  4. Comment by Krista Sanders

    Krista Sanders Reply July 25, 2017 at 2:29 am

    Today I celebrate the life of Mr. Cecil Houston. He welcomed me into his life nearly 24 years ago when he made sure this Kansas girl had a place to live as a Freshman at CAU. He introduced me to an on-campus scholarship opportunity which I was awarded and used to pay for school. He provided to me a home away from home.

    Although Mr. Houston didn’t need a specific cause to celebrate, from birthdays, to holidays, to special events Mr. Houston loved good food and valued time with family and friends. Through the years he consistently called, prepared irresistible meals, and even brought his family to support me! His wise counsel and fatherly advice will never be forgotten.

    Thank you for opening your doors and your heart to me, offering unconditional friendships and relationship bonds. Rest well Mr. Houston, you’ve fought a good fight!

  5. Comment by Beverly Motley

    Beverly Motley Reply July 25, 2017 at 6:26 pm

    My cuz was always there with pearls of wisdom. He was always able to say the right thing and help you to understand why it was right. You were never judged ,only encouraged to make the best out of the hand you had been dealt. Your wisdom and knowledge and acts of kindness will long be remembered.

  6. Comment by Beverly Motley

    Beverly Motley Reply July 25, 2017 at 6:44 pm

    Always there when you needed someone to talk to. His endless strands of pearls of wisdom , could and would always comfort you, no matter what the situation. He never judged , just motivated you as a person ,to be the best person you could be. You will forever be in our hearts . I will miss you,cuz

  7. Comment by Izora Jones

    Izora Jones Reply July 25, 2017 at 9:24 pm

    to my oldest granddaughter very well spoken . your dad was a good son- in- law I will miss him very much. I talked to him early this month he also said I was a good mother in – law M A Y GOD KEEP US NOW AND FOR EVER. LOVE TO MY DAUGHTER and all grans. grand mama

  8. Comment by Letha

    Letha Reply July 27, 2017 at 1:31 am

    My condolences to my family at this sad time in your lives. May God comfort and strengthen you all.

  9. Comment by Marvin Sparks

    Marvin Sparks Reply July 28, 2017 at 3:29 pm

    This is so beautiful Ramona! Thanks so much for sharing this great story about your Daddy. Mrs. Sparks and I send our love ❤️ and prayers 🙏🏿😊

  10. Comment by Bill Blagg

    Bill Blagg Reply July 28, 2017 at 6:01 pm

    Doc Houston was a valued community leader in the years your family lived in Brownwood. He was admired and respected by all who knew him. My condolences to your family during this sorrowful time.

  11. Comment by Joanna Overton-Perry

    Joanna Overton-Perry Reply July 28, 2017 at 11:58 pm

    I hope you and your family know God will stand by you all through this. Celebrate what your dad was and always remember him as a Great Man!! God Bless you all!!

  12. Comment by ROSALIND KING

    ROSALIND KING Reply July 29, 2017 at 11:47 am

    Gateway Area Bible Fellowship Apostolic Church
    85 Water Street
    Cahokia, Illinois 622201
    July 29, 2017
    Dr. Levi R. King Pastor
    To Ramona, Terreon and the Family and Friends of Cecil Hunter Houston,
    Pastor Levi King and Elect Lady Madlyn A. King and the Family of God of Gateway Area Bible Fellowship Church would like to extend to you and your family our heartfelt condolences and love in the passing of your Dear love one Cecil Hunter Houston.
    Words will never express how you feel in the transition of your father but know we will keep you and your family in our prayers during this time of his transition from this life into eternal rest.
    We speak the peace of God into your heart during this time to say Jesus is here to be your strength and in Him may you find the power to get through the many chapters of sorrow and grief that you are facing. May you and your family draw from your faith and love in God and please allow Him to create in each of you a clean heart and renew His Spirit of love and peace within each one of you each day.
    Psalm 118:14 Declares that The LORD is my strength and song, and is become my salvation. Ecclesiastes 3; reminds us that there are times and seasons for everything. God has given Bro. Cecil Hunter Houston his special season of Life and he lived it; the season of love and he shared it with his loving family and friends and now our Heavenly Father has given him the season of Rest, as he has entered into it.
    To the Family, we extend our sincere prayers, our love, and our support go with you through your loss and please know that ‘God Knows’ what each of you stands in need of in this season.
    Humbly Submitted by,
    Dr. Levi R. King and Elect Lady Madlyn A. King – Founders & Pastor
    Rev. Dianne Anthony – Christian Board of Education
    Deacon Wilbon Anthony – Brotherhood Ministry
    Elect Lady Madlyn A. King – Restoration Choir Ministry
    Sister Annie Prude – Hospitality Ministry
    Lady Rosalind A. King Condolence Ministry
    Gateway Area Bible Fellowship Apostolic Church Family

  13. Comment by Ginger Fedak

    Ginger Fedak Reply August 1, 2017 at 3:39 am

    Ramona, you wrote a beautiful tribute to your Daddy. Loretta, I so loved reading the book of letters describing your wonderful love story with this wonderful man. You and Cecil had a loving life together and made such a contribution to our world with your special, talented children, grandchildren, and all the incredible service and support to others and your community. I so enjoyed getting calls from Cecil every so often, just to check in. I will miss him dearly, as he was a very special friend to me when we were both in college together at Sul Ross. Love to all of your family in this time of sadness. Take comfort in the knowledge that the world is a better place for having had Cecil in it.

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