Barbara A. Cecil

She was born December 8, 1933, in New Castle, Pennsylvania to Donald and Ethel (McConahy) Gillespie. She was the oldest of three children. Her family moved frequently throughout her childhood because her Dad had “itchy feet”. Barbara graduated from North High School in Phoenix, AZ in May 1953 then attended Arizona State University for two years studying Business.

Barbara met Paul Frederick Cecil while living in Phoenix. After a whirlwind six-month romance, they married on June 30, 1955. Their marriage resulted in four children and lasted a month short of 57 years. Paul passed away May 22, 2012.

Barbara was a devoted wife and mother traveling all around the United States with her military husband focusing on her husband and raising four children. Once the oldest children graduated high school, Barbara worked a variety of jobs using her business/accounting skills. After Paul retired, life was busy with traveling in their travel trailer and cruises. Barbara was also passionate about cooking, sewing, crafts, and raising African Violets. She was an active member of the Round Rock XI SIGMA TAU sorority and devoted to volunteering with charitable organizations like Meals on Wheels. Helping others was an important part of Barbara’s life.

Barbara was preceded in death by her parents Donald and Ethel Gillespie, her husband Paul Frederick Cecil, and her oldest child Paul Frederick Cecil Jr. She is survived by her sister Pat (Gillespie) Adams. Her beautiful life will forever be cherished in the lives of her children and their spouses: Kimberlee (Cecil) and Mark Sutter, Deborah (Cecil) and Terry Russell, and Scott and Irene Cecil. She is also survived by five grandchildren: Gwendolyn (Russell) Rodriguez, Phillip Sutter, Dustie (Russell) Gabbard, Nicholas Sutter, and Thomas Balderas. She is also survived by five great grandchildren.

A graveside service is scheduled for 2:00 p.m. on Friday, March 6, 2026, at the Cook Walden Cemetery at 14501 N. Interstate Hwy 35 in Pflugerville, TX. Pastor Barbara Hernandez will officiate. A Celebration of Life will be held at a later, to-be-determined date.

In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations are directed to either Doctors Without Borders (doctorswithoutborders.org) or Texas Humane Heroes (humaneheroes.org).