Cecil M. Schneider

Cecil Mavis Schneider of Georgetown passed away peacefully with his family by his side on July 25, 2022. He was born to Etta and Richard Schneider at home on August 4, 1931. Cecil graduated from Granger High School after which he followed his passions and embarked on a long and satisfying career of carpentry and farming. He was married to Ruth Julia Cell on April 15, 1955, in Granite City, Illinois. After marrying, they moved to Granger and then Georgetown where they had seven children. The family attended church at St. Peter Lutheran in Walburg where Cecil served on the church council for many years, sang in the choir, and helped design and build the Parish Hall.

Cecil’s fondest memory of Ruth was “watching her raise the girls.” Some of these memories include those shared by his daughters. The girls remember their dad as the hardest working person they’ve ever known; his devotion to God, family, and church; love of living a simple life of farming and being self-sufficient; ability to build or repair anything (he could do wonders with bailing wire and a pair of pliers, which he carried in his pocket everywhere); making them laugh at the dinner table; and being stubborn and hardheaded. Cecil worked from sunrise to sunset and instilled many great characteristics in his daughters for which they are forever thankful, including a great work ethic and caring for and helping neighbors and others.

Following Ruth’s death on July 27, 1984, Cecil moved to Temple and married Dolores Ann Exley on February 14, 1999. Eventually they moved to the home place of his parents, Richard & Etta. Cecil farmed until retiring in 2020 then continued to enjoy hobbies of repairing/rebuilding antique tractors which he drove in parades and shows, attending farm auctions, and hosting family gatherings with his combined family and many grandchildren and great-grandchildren. Cecil and Ann had time to make memories by traveling through various states enjoying the farmlands and countryside. Ann grew up a Pennsylvania farmer’s daughter, but it took married life with Cecil, a Texas farmer, to learn how to drive a John Deere.

Cecil is survived by his wife, Ann, and his daughters Cheryl Ann Schneider of Georgetown; Jane Eileen Benham and husband, John, of Mesquite, Nevada; Rita Kay Snyder and husband, Cliff, of Georgetown; Connie Leigh Schneider and Lane Roberts, of Terrell; and Nancy Ruth Nichols of Waco; as well as extended family and many grandchildren and great-grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his first wife, Ruth; son, Matthew Wayne; daughter, Jo Anna Brizendine; sister, LaVerne Liese; and parents.

The family would like to thank all those who have helped care for Cecil in his final weeks and months, especially Elaine Sotello, Pastor Dean Hamilton, the members of St. Peter Lutheran, and Kindred Hospice. All are welcome to attend visitation at Cook-Walden Davis funeral home (2900 Williams Drive, Georgetown) from 5:00 to 7:00 p.m. on Thursday, July 28th. There will be a graveside service for family and friends at St. Peter Lutheran Church Cemetery in Walburg at 10:00 a.m. on Friday, July 29th, followed by a light meal at St. Peter Lutheran Church. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations can be made to St. Peter Lutheran Church (2929 FM 1105, Georgetown, 78626) or Kindred Hospice (2626 South 37th Street, Temple, 76504).

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.cookwaldendavisfuneralhome.com for the Schneider family.