Cecile Gathers

Mrs. Cecile Y. Gathers, 86 of Pineville, South Carolina, entered into eternal rest on Friday, April 21, 2023. Mrs. Gathers leaves to celebrate her life, her husband, James Gathers, daughters, Lucretia Parker, Rena Jackson, and Yvonne Henry; godchildren, relatives, and a host of other loved ones including grandchildren, great-grandchildren, sisters, brothers, nieces, nephews, and friends. 

Cecile Gatherws Life Reflections

Mrs. Cecile Yvonne Gathers, formerly of Painter VA, resided in Pineville, South Carolina. She was born on July 27,1936 to Charlie and Marie Parker, the fifth of twelve children. Cecile departed her earthly home on April 21, 2023.

Cecile dedicated her life to Christ at Shiloh Baptist Church in Boston, Virgina at an early age. She was a long-time member of Metropolitan Baptist Church in Newark, NJ; and later at Hickory Hill Baptist Church in Pineville, SC for over 20 years.

Educated in the public schools of Accomac County, VA, Cecile attended college for accounting in Norfolk, VA. During her professional career, she worked as a nurse’s aid at Beth Isreal Hospital and an accountant at American Cynamid, retiring after 20 years of service.  She received numerous awards during her career. The greatest reward she received was meeting Jesus on Friday afternoon where she declared, “The Lord is my strength and song, and He has become my salvation (Psalm 118:14).”

‘Ceil’, as she was affectionally known, had a profound influence on the lives of those she touched. She had a heart to care for everyone she met and loved hard. She treasured the annual Parker-Heath family reunions and enjoyed hosting family and friends from near and far at her home. Cecile was elegant, giving, spoke her mind, but had a gentle heart. She was a classy lady who  loved fancy hats, flowers, perfume, shopping, playing softball, collecting photos and traveling. She also took great pleasure in sending inspirational greeting cards.

She was preceeded in death by her parents; one stepson, Stanley Butler; one great-grandson, Raheem Parker-Dales; four brothers, Wardell, Curtis, Kenneth, and Sherwood; two sisters, Mary Collins and Charlotte Parker; and one goddaughter, Millie Moody.

Remembering Ceil lovingly are: her devoted husband of nearly 64 years, James Gathers; three daughters, Lucretia Parker (Calvin Ellison- fiance), Rena Jackson (Derek), and Yvonne Henry (Isadore); ten grandchildren; twenty-one great-grandchildren; three great-great-grandchildren; one goddaughter, Ashley Jefferson; two godsons, Glenn Wigfall (also called her “son”) and Gerald Gethers; three brothers, Roy Parker, Arnold Parker, and Jerry Parker; two sisters, Brenda Gethers and Barbara Spann; two sisters-in-law, Rosalie Wigfall and Rebecca Simmons and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins and friends.

Cecile would want you to know she fought a good fight, kept the faith and has won the victory!

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