The Houston Family announces the passing of their beloved family member Cecil Hunter Houston (September 30, 1944-July 20, 2017).
Born in Brownwood, Cecil is the fourth son of Marjorie Maxine Allen Houston and Bennie Will Houston. Cecil lived in Texas most of his life, graduating from Brownwood High School (Class of 1963), Sul Ross State College in Alpine, and North Texas State University in Denton.
In 1990, the Houston family moved to Atlanta, GA, where he lived for most of the remainder of his life. Cecil and his wife also briefly lived in Swainsboro, GA.
An advocate for youth, Cecil worked and served in multiple capacities as an administrator and educator. He spent most of his professional life working with adjudicated youth at Brownwood State Home and School for Juvenile Delinquents. He also worked as an administrator at Clark Atlanta University in Atlanta, a teach at Turner Middle School in Douglas County, GA, opened up the juvenile justice center in Swainsboro and served as an assistant principle at an elementary school in Swainsboro.
Civically engaged, Cecil was a leader and contributor to many community organizations, among them in Brownwood: the Lion’s Club, President of the PTA of Northwest Elementary School, Girl Scout Leader, Deacon at Mt. Zion Baptist Church, Trustee at Lee Chapel AME Church, athletic coach in multiple community leagues, and participant in many other organizations. In Atlanta, he was Founder and Board Member of Light Forces, Inc., a nonprofit focused on the educational and leadership development of youth and young adults.
Cecil and his wife also authored two books: God Gave Us a Song: Testimonies of Fear, Doubt, Faith and Celebration and The Makings of an Everlasting Love via Love Letters. Both can be ordered from the Houston Family.
A loving family member, Cecil was a dedicated son, playful brother, devoted husband, affectionate father of four children, seven grandchildren and four grandpets, cherished extended family member, and enduring friend. He also served as an unconditionally loving surrogate father and grandfather to many other children, who he accepted as his own. Cecil was funny, patient, caring and kind. Many people loved being around Cecil and his family.
Preceding Cecil in death are his parents; sister Clara Gray of Houston; brothers Bennie Will Houston, Jr. of Oklahoma City, Allen Houston of Dallas; his only son Cecil H. Houston II of Atlanta; and his father-in-law Jimmie L. Jones of Fort Worth. Surviving family members include his wife of 49 years Mary Loretta Jones Houston; children Ramona Houston, Ph.D, and husband Terreon Gully, Rhonda Houston-Crisp and husband Eric Crisp, all of Atlanta, and Rhesa Houston, DVM, of Birmingham, AL; grandchildren Bennie-Jymelle, Diarra, and Xylina Houston Crisp, Cecil III, Christian, Cahron and Colin Houston; grandpets Roxie, Aila, Chaise, and Tootsie; surrogate children and grandchildren, brother Melvin Houston of Lubbock, sister Adelia Houston Kirk of Brownwood; mother-in-law Izora Cannon Jones of Fort Worth; and a host of family members throughout the state of Texas.
Services will be held Tuesday, July 25, 2017 in Atlanta, and July 28-30, 2017, in Brownwood. For detailed information please visit www.ramonahouston.com.
