Cecil Benodd Twillie, age 78, passed Thursday, October 8, 2015, at Methodist University Hospital, Memphis, TN. He was the fifth child born to the late Allen and Hula Gilliam Twillie on April 20, 1937, in Caldwell, AR. He confessed an early hope in Christ and joined Mt. Sinai M. B. Church in Caldwell, AR. He was a member of the Sunday School, choir and BTU. He later joined Salem M. B. Church and served as Sunday School teacher for forty years, teaching high school teens and later as teacher of Sunday School teachers. He served as Chairman of the Board of Trustees and a member of the Voices of Thunder male chorus. He served the North Arkansas District Congress of Christian Education as teacher of the course, Administering the Church School. After graduating from Lincoln High School, Forrest City, AR in 1957, he was drafted by the Cleveland Indians, but was encouraged by his parents to attend Philander Smith College, Little Rock, AR, where he received his Bachelor of Science in Education in Health and Physical Education. He further matriculated to Arkansas State University (ASU) in Jonesboro, AR, and received his Master of Science in Education and School Administration certification. He was a Health and Physical Education teacher and coach at Lincoln Jr. High, Forrest City Jr. High, Cotton Plant High School and Lee County School District. He enjoyed coaching young men and women in basketball, football, and track and field at these schools. Additionally, he worked as a part-time teacher for ASU at Beebe, AR and ended his educational career as principal of Lee County High School, Marianna, AR, in 1999. He served the community as a member of the Philander Smith College Alumni Association, Ambassadors Club, Voters League, Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Inc., South Side Park Director, NAACP, Forrest City Country Club, Arkansas Retired Teachers, Democratic Central Committee, Maroon and Gold Alumni, Federal Bureau of Prison Board Forrest City, charter member Americans for Change Presidential Task Force, Advertisement & Promotion Commission, and Forrest City Wellness and Athletic Consortium. He served Forrest City as Alderman of Ward 1 for 23 years, and in recent years as Mayor Pro Tem. He was Forrest City’s only Arkansas Municipal League Certified Alderman. Siblings preceding him in death: James Twillie, Leon Twillie, Allen Twillie, Jr., Rev. Mathia Tucker, Mansell Twillie and Rev. Jesse Twillie. He leaves to mourn his passing: his wife of 54 years, Mrs. Ozaree Lowe Twillie, three daughters: Twyla Monette Twillie, M.D., and Rosalyn Montez Twillie, both of Memphis, TN; Cynthia Lorraine Twillie Gammon (Willie), and grandson, Ambrose Nsilo Gammon, Marion, AR; five siblings: Delores Twillie Woods, Colt, AR; Manuel A. Twillie Sr. (Gwendolyn), Little Rock, AR; Rev. Lafayette L. Twillie (Serilla), Caldwell, AR; Lawyer A. Twillie, Sr., San Diego, CA; Barbaranette Twillie Bolden (Rodney), Brandywine, MD; three sisters-in law: Dorothy Twillie, Burlington, IA, Bonnie Twillie, Little Rock, AR, Joanna Pickett (William), Palm Cost, FL; and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins and friends. The public viewing will be held at Forrest City Civic Center on Friday, October 16, 2015, from 4:30 - 6:00 p.m. with the Omega Service Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Incorporated to follow. The Memorial Service is scheduled to begin at 6:30 p.m. at the Civic Center. A viewing is also scheduled for Saturday, October 17, 2015 at Salem M. B. Church, Forrest City, AR from 10:00 - 11:00 a.m. with funeral services to follow. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that you send condolences to the St. Francis Community Foundation “Reaching Beyond the Walls” Endowment in honor of Cecil Twillie, P. O. Box, 3002 Forrest City, AR 72336.

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