Cecil Geneva Barfield

Cecil Geneva (Grammer) Barfield of Houston, Texas, passed away at the age of 89 (and a ½) on March 26, 2021, in Sugar Land, Texas due to health issues.   She was born on September 9, 1931, in Jacksonville, Texas to John Smith Grammer and Bonnie Richardson Grammer. She was one of 7 children in a family of 9.

She is survived by her Son, Curtis W. Barfield of Houston, TX; Daughter, Tanya L. Barfield of Houston, TX; brother, Paul Grammer and his wife, Mary, of The Woodlands, TX; Ruby Melancon of Tomball, TX; along with numerous Nieces, Nephews, extended family and close family friends.   

She is preceded in death by John S. Grammer (father), Bonnie Richardson Grammer (mom), Curtis R. Barfield (husband), Troy Grammer (brother), Marie Deggs (sister), Willow Mae McMurrough (sister), and Burnice Beaird (sister).

Cecil graduated from Lufkin High School in 1948.  After graduating, she went to work for Southwestern Bell in Lufkin.  She had worked there 2 years when she met the love of her life, Curtis Raymond Barfield of Corrigan, TX at a skating rink.  He had to wait to skate with her because, as he put it, “There was a line!”  They married in Corrigan, Texas on September 9, 1952, (her 21st birthday) and soon transferred to Huntsville, Texas.   She worked 2 more years at SW Bell while Curtis graduated from Sam Houston and a 2-year term in the Korean War.  Upon his return, they relocated to Orange, Texas in 1956.  In 1957, they gave birth to a son, Curtis Wayne Barfield and she became a fulltime housewife and mother, just as shehad always wanted.  Five years later, a daughter, Tanya Lynn Barfield, was born and they remained there until 1967.  Curtis’ job moved them to Beaumont, Texas and they raised their children there until 1971.  They moved for the final time in 1971 to Houston, Texas, where they remained the last 50 years. While in Houston as the children got older, Cecil decided to try her hand at working outside the home, always working “only because/when she wanted to and not because she had to!” Her last job was as a Switchboard Operator and Receptionist for Alief Independent School District (AISD), where she worked for many years.  Marvin Zindler said she was the best one ever!  She also worked as a Receptionist/Secretary at the Credit Union League, Century 21 Real Estate Offices and as an Office Mgr at Baker Carpet Cleaning. By the late 80’s, her husband had retired, so she did as well as she loved her job as housewife and Mom.  Her daughter moved back in when her husband became ill and he passed years later in 2007.  She remained with Cecil until the end, with her son going back and forth just a few miles away.  She passed away with them by her side.  Her marriage was one for the books: love, happiness, laughter, devotion and contentment and as she boasted… only 2 arguments in almost 55 years!

Cecil attended church every Sunday with her family since 1972 at First Baptist Church Alief.   They are the second oldest members there and all held volunteer positions. Until her health limited her activities outside the home, she was the Director of Entertainment for the Young Elders group there and counted donations on Sundays after church.  She was competitive and could easily beat just about everyone at a board game, dominoes or a game of cards, all while claiming she didn’t know what she was doing!  She loved to go fishing, sewing, doing crafts, having Tanya fix her hair or makeup, cooking Sunday dinners and shopping! Known to all the Barfield’s friends, you could only have Sunday dinner if you went to church first!  This was her ingenious way of witnessing to others; just by the way she lived.  She loved a bargain and always dressed extremely well.  Her laugh was boisterous and contagious to those around her.  In her later years, she thoroughly enjoyed the closeness of her tight knit family and close family friends and hanging out in pjs and playing night-night with her “grand-bird”.  She had many unofficial adopted kids along the way, although only 1 got the necklace!  She was very content, but a little bored because of how fast life use to be and she missed her husband greatly.  She lived for her kids, literally. 

Services will be held on Tuesday, April 6, 2021, Visitation from 10am to 11am followed by an 11am-12pm Funeral Service at First Baptist Church Alief, 12001 Moonmist (at Kirkwood), Houston, Texas 77072, officiated by Pastor Paul Lewis.  Burial will be at Union Springs Cemetery in Corrigan, Texas immediately following the funeral.

Thank you for visiting this memorial web page.   Please sign the online guest book to let the family know you were here thinking of them.