Cecil Orlando Martin, Sr. Obituary (1952 - 2023)

On February 09, 1952, Cecil Orlando Martin, Sr. was born in Magnolia, Mississippi to Juanita and Willie Martin, Sr. He graduated from McNair High School in Belzoni, Mississippi and furthered his education at Alcorn State University. While at Alcorn, Cecil excelled at football and played with pride as the starting center on the 1974 championship team. After graduating with a bachelor’s degree, he began his offshore career as an Operations Specialist with Chevron Corporation where he worked for forty-two years until retirement. On February 15, 1992, he married Deborah Sterling to whom he referred as “the love of my life”. Cecil was a man of strong faith, accepting Christ at a young age. Greater Beach Grove Baptist Church, New Home Ministries, and Healing Place Church all poured into his life throughout his spiritual walk. Cecil was accomplished and highly respected by his peers. In 2012, he was inducted in the Alcorn State University Football Hall of Fame and was also a Hall of Fame inductee at McNair High School in 2014, respectively. Over the years, Cecil made many friends and touched countless lives. He made an impact on everyone he met and endeavored to introduce at least one person to Jesus Christ every day. On Saturday, June 10, 2023, Cecil departed this life for eternal life in his heavenly home. He was preceded in death by his beloved family: His mother and father, Juanita and Willie; mother and father-in-law, Lillian and Alfred Sterling, Sr.; two sisters, Barbara Martin, and Joyce Bradford (George); one brother, Arnold Magee, and three sisters-in-law, Elizabeth Sterling Johnson, Claire Sterling Radcliff, and Judy Martin. He leaves to mourn his loving wife of thirty-two years, Deborah Martin; two daughters, Jacqueline Carson (Lyndon) and Chenikica Morrison (Reginald); and one son, Cecil Orlando Martin, II; three grandchildren, Joshua Martin, Keenan Barrett (Nikayla), Julian Noel; a godchild, Victoria Levi and a special niece, Tennia Stevenson Williams. He is also survived by two sisters, Brenda Jones, and Cheryl Martin, and three brothers, Charles Martin, Sr., Willie Martin, Jr. (Brenda), and Clayton Martin. Cecil also leaves behind his brothers and sisters-in-law, Donald Noel, Sr. (Mona), Harold Sterling, Sr., Alfred Sterling, Jr. (Kay), Peggy Bradford, and Jo Ann Sterling-Levi. Also, he loved a host of endearing nieces, nephews, other relatives, and friends. A Celebration of Life honoring Cecil Orlando Martin, Sr. will be held on Friday, June 16, 2023, at Hopeful Triumph Baptist Church, 38584 La-22, Darrow, La 70725, Visitation will begin at 9 am. Service begins at 11 am. Entombment to follow at St.John Memorial Gardens, 2205 W Airline Hwy, Laplace, LA 70068. Final care and professional services are entrusted to Treasures of Life Funeral Services, 315 E.Airline Highway, Gramercy, La 70052. "When someone you love becomes a memory, that memory becomes a TREASURE"!!