Cecil Rayford Christopher

Cecil Rayford Christopher of Lorena, passed away on February 9, 2025 at home surrounded by family. Visitation will be 4-6pm, Thursday, February 13, 2025 at Grace Gardens Funeral Home. Services will be 11am on Friday, February 14, 2025 with Ryan Christopher officiating at Grace Garden Funeral Home with a time of greeting at 10:30 am. The burial will be at Hallsville Cemetery in Hallsville, TX. 

Cecil was born August 3, 1943 in Marshall Texas to Chester Ray Christopher and Julia Margaret Harrison.

Cecil married Alma Darlene Key on March 6, 1965, in Marshall Texas. He was a devoted husband and caregiver to Darlene for 51 years. They had 4 children, Lynda, Beverly, Donna and Ryan. 

Cecil met Anna Mae Horn on June 21, 2016. They married June 22, 2022. He was blessed with 3 stepchildren Shelly, Donna, and Johnnie from this marriage. They remained married until his death.

His job at Sonoco Products transferred him to Arlington, TX in 1977. He worked for Sonoco Products for 36 ½ years. 

He was the driver for many youth actives that include toilet papering the pastor’s house. He served as a Deacon. He loved playing 42 with his friends. Cecil enjoyed softball until he broke his collar bone. He loved taking his family on a yearly vacation. He loved Elvis Presley. Many of you saw him walking his 6-7 miles daily down Arkansas Lane in Arlington. He loved traveling with Anna and going to Winstar with his friends and family.

He was proceeded in death by his father, mother and stepfather, his sister, his first wife Darlene, and many cousins, aunts and uncles who were all very close and dear to him.

He is survived by his loving wife Anna Horn and her family; daughter Lynda Jones and husband Keith of Sunset, Beverly Moore of Arlington, Donna Anderson and husband Bryan of Grandview, Ryan Christopher and wife, Julie of Canton, Ohio, Grandchildren: Jacob Jones, Caleb Jones, wife Alyssa, Clayton Moore, wife Miranda, Harrison Moore, Alyssa Oldham, husband Kyle, Christopher Caro, Ramsey Caro, Tyler Anderson, wife Krissa, Jessie Anderson, fiancé Jason Anderson, Morgan Christopher, Levi Christopher, Matthew Christopher, Luci Christopher, Kate Christopher, Jessi Christopher, David Christopher, Chandra Christopher, Judah Christopher. Great grandchildren: Braelynn Jones, Karter Jones, Sophie Jones, Micah Moore, Charlie Moore, Brazos Hudley, Cooper Anderson. Also surviving, his sister Mary Johnson, husband Wayne, and many cousins who adored him. 

The Pallbearers will be Caleb Jones, Clayton Moore, Harrison Moore, Christopher Caro, Caleb McCaig, and Matthew Christopher.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to St Jude’s Children’s Research Hospital.