Cecil H. Cravey

Cecil Harmon Cravey, 86, Middleburg, Florida on Tuesday, March 2, 2021 at 9:05 p.m.

Born to Franklin Marvin Cravey and Laura Fae McBride-Cravey on March 31, 1934 in Bradley Junction, Florida.

While in High School Cecil was active in the bank and the local 4H Club.  Cecil graduated from Mulberry High School, Mulberry Florida in 1952.  Nis senior year his favorite quote was “Speech is great, but silence is sometimes greater and has a bigger impact.”  Then he went to work for American Cyanamid Company, Brewster, Florida for a couple of years until drafted for the Korean War.  Enlisted in the Navy and was based out of San Diego California.  Cecil served on the U.S. S. John W. Thomason, dd760 in the Pacific Ocean serving the Philippines, Japan, Northern Mariana Islands and various other Pacific island stops.  He met and married Marjorie Manders on May 11, 1956 at the First Christian Church, Chula Vista California by Rev. Guy D. Smith before being sent out on his last employment in the Pacific Islands.  Upon being discharged they settled in Lemon Grove California and Cecil worked for Hertz Rental Car and attending vocational college for an associate degree and certification in Refrigeration Service Engineers Society in 1958.  After the death of his wife’s parents, Cecil and the family moved to Lakeland, Florida.  He was invited by George Jenkins, a family friend to come and work for Publix and help with the refrigeration aspect of the stores and the transportation of groceries to the stores.  Cecil worked out of the Lakeland Division maintenance shop until 1973. Cecil continued with his training by various training courses with ATS, remaining current with his certification with the Refrigeration Service Society.  Then in 1973, George Jenkins, asked him to move to help establish a new division in Northern Florida in Jacksonville, Florida.  Cecil helped to set up the warehouse division, maintenance shop and refrigeration aspect of the Jacksonville stores. He held the title of Maintenance and Fleet Supervisor that included the ordering a purchasing of maintenance of the store and transportation, purchasing and maintenance of the fleet autos for the division and purchasing of large rigs that transported groceries. He continued his professional expertise by enrolling in Cornell University Home Study Program with the Department of Agricultural Economics and received a certificate for his efforts in 1988.  He worked closely with the local auto dealers and auto supply chains to keep the fleet maintained and operational.  He served several years as part of the Florida Department of Transportation in representing Large Rig Truck Drivers.  Then after 35 years with the Publix opted for a slower pace of life to have time to enjoy his family.

He was a member of Orange Park First Baptist, joining in 1973 and participated in the active growth of the church in growing and moving from a location close to River Road to the present location on Kingsley Avenue.  Served as deacon until 2018, becoming an inactive deacon to due health issues.  While a member he assisted with the maintenance of a bus for the outreach bus ministry.  Helped serving in leadership of what was called at the time, Sunday School and Training Union Bible Study times and participated before retiring on the Publix Bowling league.

Cecil enjoyed fishing when time permitted with friends going deep sea fishing, he enjoyed being home having for a season a garden and growing of fruit trees, which related back to his time on a farm.  He enjoyed spending time with his granddaughter, Paige Webster.  He was proud of her accomplishments in joining and serving in the Air Force. 

Cecil would not like a long flowery speech or fancy sayings about his life.  Cecil was a humble man that enjoyed the simple life.  He appreciated nature and its surroundings; he was proud of his family’s heritage that dates back to early pioneer trail in Florida that came close to his family’s farm.  The Cravey family goes back to the 1700’s in Florida.  Cecil was small on speech, in fact the quote from his senior year high school annual says “ Speech is great, but silence is greater.”  He exemplified this attitude throughout his life.  He held a strong Christian faith and was thankful for what opportunities and door had been opened for him.  He was caring, committed and supportive when Margie started to develop dementia in around 2003.  Not everyone understood what was happening with her mental and physical health.  When people did not understand, he would say you can never know that will not be me in a couple of years and how would I want to be treated in that situation.  He had insight to what would later develop in his life with a diagnosis of Parkinson’s and Alzheimer’s.  At the end, Cecil was bed ridden and could not hold conversations, his mind was not there.   But he could still smile and light up a room.  His home health aide would always compliment him on his blue eyes and his precious smile that she enjoyed seeing every day even till the end.  Cecil will be remembered again for not being a man of flowering speech or words, but a simple man of conviction. His legacy includes his example of loyalty and commitment to his family, an active faithful Christian that walked by faith not by sight no matter what circumstances he faced, an example of what is really important one’s in life a relationship with Jesus.  Once he said that he does not have much status or wealth in this life, but he hopes his is the legacy impact his family, friends and community.  Again. Speech is great but silence is greater was lived out by the life he lived by example.  His lifestyle of grace is greater than fancy words can attempt to express.

He is preceded in death by his wife, Marjorie Cravey and is survived by, Kathy Cravey, daughter of Middleburg, Pam Walker, daughter, her husband – Matt Walker of Fleming Island, Paige Walker-Webster, granddaughter and her husband Anthony Webster and the soon to be great grand son – Marcos Eduardo Webster of Riverview, Verda Lee Armstrong, sister of Lakeland and Susie Mae Anderson, sister of Lakeland.

 A Memorial Service is yet to be determined for our loved ones, friends and the community to join in celebrating the life of Cecil with his family.  The date and time are yet to be determined and will be provided at a later date.

Donations for flowers may be sent to Holy Hill Memorial Park or if preferred one prefers a contribution in Cecil’s name can be made to one of the three charities provided.   

American Parkinson Disease Association, apdaparkinson.org., National Headquarters, Staten Island, NY  10306, [email protected]

American Alzheimer’s Foundation of America, alzfdn.org, 322 Eighth Ave., 16^th Floor, New York, NY  10001, [email protected]

Gideons International, Gideons.org,  P. O. Box 140800, Nashville, TN  37214-0800, (615) 564-5000