Cecil Duwayne Smith of Adamsville, TN passed away August 22, 2018 in Corinth, MS. Cecil was born July 2, 1925 in Tippah County, Mississippi. He was the son of the late Claude Dewitt and Cordie Bell Meeks Smith. Cecil was united in marriage to Frances Allen Strachan Smith on June 30, 1973.
Mr. Smith was a World War II Veteran. He enlisted in the U.S. Navy in 1944 and served until 1956. He then transferred to the U.S. Air Force where he served until his retirement with the rank of Master Sergeant. While in the Navy, he served on ships U.S.S. Curtis and Greenwich Bay, and was stationed at Wattsonville,CA and Millington, TN. While in the Air Force, Sgt. Smith was stationed at Kelly Air Force Base in Texas, Palm Beach Air Force Base in FL, Tinker Air Force Base in OK, Scott Air Force Base in Illinois where he retired with 23 years of active service.
Following retirement from the Air Force, Cecil travel as a salesman for American Sash and Door in Memphis, TN and Dyke Industries in Memphis, TN. He retired at age 77. Cecil’s retirement included making molasses, grinding corn meal, gardening, traveling, but talking with other people was his favorite.
Mr. Smith was a member of Sharon Baptist Church, Jonesboro Masonic Lodge #250, Walnut, MS, the Scottish Rite of Free Masonry (32 degree) of Memphis, TN, Al Chymia Shrine Temple of Memphis, TN and the Pickwick Shrine Club of Hardin and McNairy Counties. He served as president three different times of the Pickwick Shrine Club. Cecil enjoyed raising funds for the Shriners Children’s Hospital by participating in the Annual Hospital benefit drive. He also enjoyed being a van driver for children to the Shriners Hospital in St. Louis, MO and Gavleston, TX. He was also a member of the Air Force Association.
In addition to his wife Frances, he is survived by Dennis (Patrica) Smith of Selmer, TN, Robert Cecil (Ann) of Geneva, AL, Terry Strachan (Glen, MS), Lisa Strachan of Adamsville, Christie Ann (Brian) Tatum of Picayune, MS.
Cecil is survived by six grandchildren and three great-grandchildren.
In addition to his parents, he was proceeded in death by a daughter Patricia Ann Smith and two sisters, Hadie Juanita Pickens and Mildred Bernice Meeks.
Memorial donations may be made to Shriners Hospital for Children.
