Artis Gray Cecil

Artis Gray Cecil, 92, of Cecil Road, died Thursday, March 9, 2017, at Hinkle Hospice House. The funeral will be 3 p.m. Sunday, March 12, 2017, at First Baptist Church of Welcome, where he was a member, with Pastor Mark Blair and family friend, Larry Sides officiating. Burial will follow in the church cemetery. The family will receive friends Saturday from 6 to 8 p.m. at Davidson Funeral Home and other times at the home of Steve Wishon. Mr. Cecil was born February 2, 1925, in Davidson County, to Charlie Edward Cecil and Lillian Ethel Miller Cecil. He served three years in the U.S. Army during World War II during which time he was wounded on July 12, 1944 while in Normandy, France. He earned two Purple Hearts and other medals for serving on the front lines. At his church he has served as Deacon and Sunday school teacher. He loved and supported his church. On December 4, 1946 he married the love of his life Betty Rose Everheart. In addition to his parents he was preceded in death by his loving wife of 62 years Betty Rose Cecil; son, Donald Gray Cecil; daughters, Gail Cecil Wishon, Glenda Cecil Wicker; grandson, Larry Scott Wishon; brother, John Cecil; sister, Mary Hartman; and son-in-law, Mitchell Wicker.  Surviving are grandchildren, Tammy Wishon Fowler and husband Darren of Winston-Salem, Josh Wicker and wife Lynn of Franklinville, Laura Nicole Cecil of Welcome; great-grandchildren, Dalton and Karsyn Fowler, Jessica Mariah and Issac Wicker and Konner Eisenman; daughter-in-law, Gina Wimmer Cecil of Welcome; and son-in-law, Steve Wishon of Welcome.  Memorials may be made to First Baptist Church of Welcome, P.O. Box 269, Welcome, NC 27374; or Hospice of Davidson County, 200 Hospice Way, Lexington, NC 27292