Alberta Mayfield Cecil

Alberta was born in Abilene, Texas November 18, 1922 to Percy Anderson Mayfield and Fay Hicks Mayfield. She is the granddaughter of Moliere and Lena Anderson Mayfield, who came to Taylor County in 1881. Alberta was a graduate of Abilene High School and Abilene Christian College. She

married Deveryl Nelson Cecil in Abilene on October 8, 1943, while he was home on furlough. They had celebrated 71 years of marriage before his passing in 2015. They lived in Abilene for 36 years before retiring to their 20 acre place in Tuscola. Alberta loved to cook for her family and friends and had a strong sense of family traditions. She was an avid reader, a diligent student of the Bible, and a member of the Tuscola Church of Christ before moving to Franklin, TN to live with her daughter. Mrs. Cecil was a teacher at Johnston Elementary for 22 years and was awarded the

Valley Forge Teacher Medal in 1972 and 1976. She was co-author of “Our American Heritage”, a copyrighted patriotic bicentennial musical for elementary school children. She was a past member of Delta Kappa Gamma Society, American Association of

University Women, a Life Member of the Texas State Teacher’s Association and is listed

in “Who’s Who in Texas Education”. Mrs. Cecil is preceded in death by her husband, Deveryl Nelson Cecil; parents, Percy and

Fay Mayfield; sister, Doris Rutherford Booth; son-in-law, Dee Travis, Sr.; and life time friend, Gertie Greer. She is survived by two sons, Jed B. Cecil of San Angelo and Joel A. Cecil of Houston; one daughter, Jane Cecil Travis of Franklin, TN; two grandchildren, Melissa Travis Jerkins (Nathan) of Austin and Dee Thomas Travis, Jr. (Lauren) of Nashville, TN; two great grandson, Silas Lee Jerkins and Arthur Ian Travis; one brother, Robert C. Mayfield (Loraine) of Austin, and numerous nieces and nephews. A private memorial service was held for Mrs. Cecil on Monday, April 18, with her

grandson, Dee Travis, Jr., officiating. Internment was at the Abilene Municipal Cemetery’s Oddfellow section, in the Mayfield family plot. You may view and sign the guestbook at www.elliotthamilfuneralhome.com