Virginia Lea Cecil

Ginny as she was known to family and friends was born in Wewoka, Oklahoma in 1926 to Rev. and Mrs. H.G. Burch. She was the only daughter and the youngest of 4 children.

A graduate of Holdenville High School, she met her future husband, Thomas J. Cecil during high school, and they were married 1945. They spent the next 40 years traveling the world with the Air Force including assignments at Wright Patterson AFB - Ohio, Itami Air Base - Japan, Anderson AFB - Guam, Maxwell AFB - Alabama, Alexandria Virginia, Rawalpindi Pakistan, Edwards Air Force Base - California, Kirkland Air Force Base - New Mexico and Pensacola Fl. They retired to Crested Butte, Colorado then moved to Cocoa Beech Florida and several years later to Norman Oklahoma. Ginny eventually moved to Hudson, Florida to be closer to family.

Her time as an Air Force wife and mother included several community activities. Ginny served as a Cub Scout Den Mother and Brownie and Girl Scout Leader. She also devoted time to the American Red Cross and Junior Red Cross League. At Edwards AFB she served as President of the Officers Wife Club. Her service was honored by being selected “Edwards AFB Wife of the Year”.

A devout Christian and active member of the church, Ginny taught Sunday School, Vacation Bible School and directed the Children’s Choir at Wright Patterson AFB and Islamabad Pakistan. She had the distinction of being ordained as a Deacon at the First Baptist Church in Norman Oklahoma. Additionally, Ginny volunteered as a Chaplain’s Assistant at Norman Regional

Hospital in Oklahoma.

Wherever stationed, Ginny was always an active choir member and often the soloist or performed duets with Tom. She also performed with the Officers Wives choral group, “The Skylarks.”

In retirement, Ginny and Tom hosted international students attending the University of Oklahoma at Norman through a cultural exchange program. After Tom’s passing, Ginny continued in this roll and formed strong and lasting relationships with students from many countries including Germany, Pakistan, India, and Greece. She taught English as a second language and American culture through a program sponsored by the First Baptist Church of Norman.

Ginny was proceeded in death by her parents Rev and Mrs. H.G. Burch, her son, Alan Bruce Cecil, her loving husband Thomas J Cecil, and her daughter Theresa Lynn Cecil.

She is survived by her daughters Diane Kaus and husband (Robert) of Visalia California and Anita Cecil and son-in-law (Stephen Taylor) of Hudson Florida, Grandchildren include Caren Harrison and husband (Von) of New Port Richey Florida, Rebecca Taylor of Lutz Florida, Anthony Taylor and wife (Yohko), of Jacksonville, Florida and Tami Terrazas and Husband (James) of Richland Hills Texas. Great grandchildren include Brooke Quintana, Hina and Lena Taylor, Cassidy and Emily Dodge Terrazas and Von Harrison.

In lieu of flowers, donations in Virginia L. Cecil name can be made to:

Gulfside Hospice

Attn: Carla Armstrong

2061 Collier Parkway

Land O’Lakes, FL 34639