Mr. Cecil Sims Cannon

September 17, 1920 - July 2, 2017

Cecil Sims Cannon was born on September 17, 1920, in Jacksonville, FL. He was the second child of David Elijah and Carrie Sims Cannon. His

family moved to Washington, D.C. when he was a young child. Cecil attended District of Columbia Public Schools and graduated from Cardozo

High School in 1939. He was drafted into the United States Army in 1942, where he was inducted into the 594th Ordnance Ammunition Company

in the Guadalcanal Campaign. After serving his country for more than three years, he was honorably discharged in 1946.

Cecil met the love of his life, Hazel Irene Daniel, in the third grade and their friendship evolved into a beautiful lifelong love affair. On Valentine's Day 1946, Cecil proposed to Hazel and the two were married on April 12th of the same year. From this union, the couple was blessed with three lovely children, Camille Annette (deceased), Carl Anthony and Karen Michele. Cecil was a loving and devoted husband to Hazel for more than 56 years. Together they dedicated their lives to raising their children, instilling family values, expressing unconditional love and supporting each of them in all of life's endeavors. Hazel departed this life on February 14th, 2003.

The Cannon family initially lived in the Trinidad neighborhood of Washington, D.C. As a young adult, Cecil joined Calvary Episcopal Church, where

he faithfully served in many capacities of leadership and membership with the Vergers Guild, the Finance Committee, and the Men of Calvary. For

many years Cecil was the Boy Scout Troop 373 Leader, engaging, advising and preparing young men to make healthy ethical and moral choices.

In 1963 he moved his young family to the North Michigan Park community and was very active as a member of the Queens Chapel Civic Association.

Cecil spearheaded countless acts of kindness and personally provided and facilitated numerous charitable and scholarship contributions to Historically Black Colleges and Universities, most notably Miles College in Birmingham, Alabama. He also enjoyed talking to his neighbors regarding concerns and planning important events. Cecil always kept an eagle's eye out for anything out of the ordinary, thus earning him the respect , honor and title, "Mayor of Allison Street".

More than any title, accomplishment or honor, Cecil will be remembered as a "man for all others". He was a man deeply devoted to his family and loyal to his friends. However, his role as Dad, everyone's dad, was his absolute best. He was a giving, loving and caring man. he had a knack for making everyone feel at home and very good about themselves and their accomplishments. He was always there to offer a helping hand.

Cecil provided support, encouragement and personally congratulated everyone on his or her milestones and accomplishments. Recipients of his compassionate and loving nature each acknowledged and appreciated how he helped them to become their best selves.

Cecil's work career spanned more than 36 years in the Federal Government. He retired in 1978 as an Accounting Technician for the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development. Throughout his full and active work life, nothing gave him more pleasure than to be able to plan and execute a hard-earned vacation. He relished the careful planning of summertime vacation trips connecting family and friends, both near and far. He revealed in the sheer joy of seeing the entire Cannon Clan and extended family members gather at family reunions that crisscrossed the continental United States.

Never one to shy away from hard work, he made neighborhood landscaping his post-retirement passion. He carefully monitored and groomed, with much pride, his beautiful azaleas and manicured lawns each spring. He subsequently passed his skills on to his son and grandsons. Cecil also enjoyed baking lemon meringue pies and delicious pound cakes. His specialty, marinated grilled chicken and homemade hand churned ice cream became a much-anticipated staple at his backyard picnics with family and neighborhood friends. Photography was another of his lifetime passions. He started out with a little, inexpensive Kodak Instamatic camera and later graduated to more sophisticated cameras as he eventually became our official family photo archivist. He faithfully captured and chronicled many daily and special events for the entire Cannon family.

Cecil was preceded in death by his parents, David and Carrie Cannon; his beloved wife, Hazel; his daughter, Camille; his sisters, Evelyn Hightower (Dorsette), Gwendolyn Moore (Wesley), and Thelma Hackett (Leon); his brother, David Cannon (Ellen); and son-in-law, Michael Vernon Simmons. He leaves to cherish his memory his brother, Rufus Cannon (Mildred); his son Carl Cannon (Janice); his daughter, Karen Jarvis (James); and devoted and loving friends, Evelyn Quander Rattley and family. He will always have a special place in the hearts of his five grandchildren, Michael Simmons, Paul Cannon (LaToya), Melissa Johnson (Terrence), Robert Cannon and Erik Jarvis. "Grandpapa Cecil" will be remembered by his nine great-grands, De'Shaun Walker Simmons, Makai Simmons, Makayla Simmons, Rafael Cannon, Lauren Cannon, Terrence Johnson, Toriano Johnson, Tiago Johnson, and Thierry Johnson. He also leaves a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends.

As we mourn the death of Cecil Sims Cannon, we also celebrate his long and prosperous life. We are grateful for his wisdom, wit and strength that he shared with all of us throughout his 96 plus years. His influence will continue to live on and guide us in the years ahead. He had a profound presence in all our of lives and will be forever missed and always remembered.

Arrangements under the direction of Fort Lincoln Funeral Home, BRENTWOOD, MD.