Mrs. Wilma Maurice (Whitton) Cecil, age 97, of Nacogdoches, Texas, passed away Monday, Jan. 9, 2012, at a local nursing home.
Born June 8, 1914, in Swift and reared in Chireno by Lewis and Mary Ward Whitton, Mrs. Cecil was the widow of the Rev. Anthony C. Cecil Sr., United Methodist pastor. She held a B.A. from Stephen F. Austin State University and an M.A. from University of Texas, Austin, having pursued doctoral studies at Baton Rouge.
She taught English for 47 years, 33 of them at SFA. Elected favorite woman professor 16 times, she taught everything from composition and rhetoric to children’s literature. Former students ranged from state Sen. Roy Blake to Coach Bum Phillips. Before her retirement in 1980 as associate professor emerita, Mrs. Cecil became founding sponsor of SFA’s first sorority chapter, Gamma Chi of Sigma Kappa.
She was an active member of First United Methodist Church.
Mrs. Cecil is survived by her son, the Rev. Anthony C. Cecil Jr., retired United Methodist pastor, of Nacogdoches, and by a host of nieces and nephews.
A memorial service is scheduled for 11 a.m. Saturday, January 21, 2012, at First United Methodist Church with Dr. Bill Gandin presiding.
Memorial gifts should be directed to that congregation.
Online condolences may be shared at www.casonmonk-metcalf.com.
