She was born on April 5, 1933, in Springfield, the daughter of James and Nellie (Yonk) Howard. She married Charles (Bill) Severns on December 26, 1954; he preceded her in death on September 19, 2001.
Cecelia graduated from Springfield High School and retired from Springfield Memorial Hospital.
They had two sons, Charles W. (Billy), who preceded her in death, and Mark S. (wife, Sandra Nolting); two grandsons, Joshua S. (Kinleigh) and Andrew M. (McKenna); one granddaughter, Jamie L. Severns Clark (Todd); great-grandchildren, Ayden and Annalynn Clark and Alecco and Ionee Severns; brothers, James and John Howard, who preceded her in death; sisters, Jeri Ralston, Rosemary Armbruster, and Kathy Chaney; and several nieces and nephews.
Private family ceremonies will be held.
The family is being served by Butler Funeral Home-Springfield, 900 S. Sixth St., Springfield.
