Cecil Hugh Humphrey

Cecil Hugh Humphrey, 85, a resident of Honoraville, Alabama, passed away peacefully in his home while surrounded by his family on Sunday, July 23rd, 2023. Funeral services for Cecil will be held at 2 PM on Friday, July 28th, at Danielville Baptist Church with Rev. Jim Looney officiating. Interment will follow in the church cemetery with Turners Funeral Home of Luverne directing and the Alabama State Troopers Honor Guard assisting in saying farewell. The family will receive friends at the church on Friday for one hour prior to the service.

Cecil proudly served his country with the United States Army during the fraught times surrounding the Cuban Missile Crisis in the 1960s. After his discharge from the military, he continued his service by committing to a career in law enforcement. He enjoyed nothing more than protecting and serving his community. His career in law enforcement spanned over a 40-year years until his retirement as the Chief of the Capitol Police in Montgomery. He was also a longtime member of both the Fraternal Order of Police, the Chiefs of Police Association, and the Alabama Peace Officers Association. Cecil was well-suited to the job, as he was a very particular kind of person and was quite strong-willed and determined. He rarely entered a room where he was not asserting himself to lead, or as his children say, be the boss! His family liked to call him "John Wayne," as he fit so many traits of the characters Wayne performed over his film career. His wife described Cecil as being a "pineapple: prickly on the outside, but soft and sweet on the inside."

Cecil was definitely like a big teddy bear when it came to his beloved family. Still, never let it be said that he wasn't above knocking some heads when boys started coming around his girls! Cecil was such a beloved husband, father, grandfather, and great-grandfather as he not only doted on them but made simple drives to school with the kids an adventure when he drove like he was responding to an emergency! His grandchildren especially remember trips to the store for favorite candies like Laffy Taffy when visiting. No doubt Cecil would treat his children's friends as if they were his own and many loved him as the only father they ever had. Cecil and his family fostered over 60 children in the Montgomery area receiving the "Family of the Year" award in 1998, but he humbly never wished acknowledgment for the acts of service he provided to many as evidenced by adopting a foster child as his own.

In his free time, Cecil loved to spend time outside with his family, whether it was coaching girls' softball teams or spontaneous camping and fishing trips. He took great pride in tending to his garden and enjoyed farming in his retirement years. Motorcycles were also a particular favorite of his and he loved to safely ride the children to Crenshaw County on the weekends. He was always such a generous man who loved helping those in need whenever he could. On Sundays, he was usually either singing and/or playing the bass guitar in the church choir because he loved praising his Lord with his church family. He also dedicated time to lead the Men's Ministry at the church where he proudly mentored other young men...and enjoyed a few fish fries together as well. Lord knows there aren't enough words to express how much Cecil will be missed by all those he leaves behind, but they will find comfort in knowing he is now at peace while healed and whole in the arms of his Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.

Cecil was preceded in death by his son, Jonathan Humphrey; parents, Joe Sam & Minnie May Norman Humphrey; and brothers, Joe Henry Humphrey and Wayne Humphrey. He is survived by his beloved wife of 63 years, Margaret Ann Sexton Humphrey; their children, Gary (Regina) Humphrey, Karen (David) Sullins, and Shea (Andy) Harris; grandchildren, Brent (Sonya) Humphrey, Dane (Kayla) Humphrey, Christian (Hal) Mayer, Abby Farris (Jordan Owens), Thomas (Tasha) Farris, Ben Harris, Sam Harris, and Elizabeth Sullins; great-grandchildren, Skyler Humphrey, Rylee Owens, Jameson Farris, Jaxson Humphrey, Vella Humphrey, Charlie Humphrey, and Hal Mayer; siblings, Agnes (Raymon) Stroud and Ronnie (Brenda) Humphrey; and a host of nieces, nephews, extended family members, and friends.

Active pallbearers will be Dane Humphrey, Chris Humphrey, Thomas Farris, Brian Looney, Gerald Boyd and Chris White.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that memorial donations be made to Danielville Baptist Church.