To say the least, I was heartbroken on learning of the passing of Cecil Cope.

Cecil was a classmate that became a forever friend.  Cecil was a man among many men, with many talents; music being #1 on his list!  Thousands of thousands of ears were entertained by his music thru the many years.  Yes Cecil, you will be missed!

You are playing for a MUCH LARGER audience now!  
Marvin “Beanie” Meddows

If u were at work and needed lunch or maybe some tickets for som event Cecil played radio trivia and was pretty much right on with the correct answer and his winnings were quite diverse hahahahah he was always a winner. 
Oh another thing he knew his baseball ⚾️ too. 

Larry and I are so sorry for your loss. We all loved Cecil and have many fond memories from very long ago, from the early days of the Jorrells to our later years catching up with him on an occasion. You and your family are in our thoughts and we pray for comfort for you all at this time.                                          Larry and Cindy Phillips

I have been blessed to have Cecil as a client and friend for the past 15+ years.  It was always a pleasure to talk/visit with him.  We shared a love for baseball in general and the St. Louis Cardinals in particular……his stories and opinions were always fun to hear.  I so enjoyed his wonderful self-deprecating sense of humor.  I am thankful for the trust and confidence both he and Jane have placed in me as their financial advisor…….our relationship has been a blessing.   May many sweet memories as well as God’s comfort and joy sustain all the family as you go forward from here.



We shared so many memories while sitting  and listening to the Jorrells.  He is at peace singing and playing for all the angels in heaven.  Our thoughts are with you and you family.  Rest in peace dear friend.

Remember Cecil fondly.  High school days were fun with Cecil.  Always laughter and talks.  Music was great with him.  Will be missed so much.  Prayers go out to him and his family.    

I am not one to post thoughts and messages on websites such as this. I am making an exception for my long time friend Cecil.
We got to know one another during the summer of 1969 when the Jorrells went “on the road”.
I had never played with the band before the first gig at Chanute AFB in Rantoul, IL.  Cecil showed me the ropes and taught me the music…we also discovered our mutual interest in electronics. Cecil was and Advanced Class amateur radio operator.  We spent many nights after playing a venue to work CW (morse code) on the ham radio equipment he had brought along.  We contacted people all over the world!
Our friendship remained over the years and from time to time I again was on stage with Cecil and the Jorrells. 

Such a fun and interesting guy….always had a smile and was in a  good mood. He had an uncanny memory for all kinds of things.
If there’s a rock & roll heaven….you know he will be giving it a go.
To Jane, Geoffrey and Lorrie, you have our deepest sympathy.  He will be sorely missed.
Rest in peace my friend.
Tom J.


Jane and family: so sorry to hear of Cecil's death. He will be sorely missed by all his friends in the LCHS class of 1964.
Carol Knepper Puffer

My deepest condolences are extended to Jane, Geoffrey, and Lorrie.  I was one of Cecil's classmates from Lebanon, IL, from I think 6th grade through high school, and even into McKendree college.   I have so many memories from back then - band with Mr. Rigden, Boy Scouts and Explorers, camping and hiking trips, canoing, a personal competition to win 500 games of ping pong against each other in my basement,  and on and on.  And then we would keep up with each other at reunions and Lebanon homecomings.  May the Spirit of Life watch over you all at this time of transition.

Cecil was like an honorary uncle to our Region 2 Special Olympics group.  Once a year for SO MANY years the Jorrells would travel to Highland, IL at the beginning of March to play at our annual dinner/dance/auction.  Our athletes absolutely loved them !!  They were so wonderful to our group.  Cecil would get them up on the stage to sing and play instruments with the group........  It was like a family reunion for us every year.  We will all truly miss him.  RIP dear friend.  


Our thoughts and prayers are with the family at this difficult time. 
We are there for you if you need us.  Marsha and Ronnie Billings

OBITUARY

Cecil Richard Cope

March 25, 1946 – May 8, 2022

Memphis Funeral Home & Memorial Gardens

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