Born in DeFuniak Springs, FL in 1922, Cecil was the eldest son of Jesse James and Edith McLean Evans. He proudly served 4 years in the Army Air Corps in the South Pacific and Japan during WWII. He flew 26 missions and was awarded many military medals including the Air Medal and the Purple Heart.

After the war, Cecil graduated from Rhodes College in Memphis, TN where he met his wife of 60 years, Gale B. Martin. Together they raised two daughters, Mary Evans Kennedy and Gael Evans Empey in southern California. There Cecil’s hobbies included sailing and flying.

Cecil was in the cotton industry for over 40 years. He was the West Coast Manager in California and later the National Sales Manager in the Boston, MA area for Ludlow Corporation. He retired as the Vice President for Sales and Marketing with Harper Company.

After retirement, Cecil and Gale restored an 1888 Victorian home in Honea Path, South Carolina. They converted the home into Sugarfoot Castle Bed & Breakfast and enjoyed this business adventure for 10 years. He also enjoyed gardening and his grandchildren and great grandchildren.

As a young 89 year old, Cecil fell in love with and married Betty Gammel. For 3 happy years they enjoyed traveling, spending time with each other’s families, and entertaining on their screened porch.
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In addition to his wife, Betty, Cecil is survived by his two daughters, Mary Kennedy and husband Ron of Honea Path, SC and Gael Empey and husband Chip of Millis, MA; five grandchildren Christy Clausen and Meggie Welborn Nelson of the Greenville, SC area; Cory Clausen of Honea Path, SC; and Evan and Chad Empey of the Boston, MA area; eight great-grandchildren Zachary Clausen, Cameron Nickles, Grant Nelson, Jacob Vaughn, Laci Kabel, Liam Empey, Burke Empey, and Ben Empey.

He was preceded in death by his parents, two brothers Edgar and Alex, a sister Mary Jeanette, and his wife, Gale Evans.

Memorials may be made to Trinity United Methodist Church-PO Box 483, Honea Path, SC 29690 or the Muscular Dystrophy Association-4573 South Broad St Suite 150, Yardville, NJ 08620.

A celebration of his life will be held at 2:30pm on Sunday, October 26, 2014 at Trinity United Methodist Church in Honea Path. Visitation will immediately follow the service in the Fellowship Hall.