Cecil Knight Province, Jr

Cecil Knight Province, Jr., 73 of Jonesboro died Wednesday, July 20, 2011 at St. Bernard’s Medical Center. Cecil was born to Cecil Knight Province Sr. and Maurine E. Province in Jonesboro. He was a member of the First Baptist Church from Cradle Roll to present. A member of the TKO high school fraternity; JHS graduate, 1956; JHS Marching Band; ASU Marching Indian Band; Marched in the John F. Kennedy’s Inaugural Parade in 1961; TKE fraternity, ASU Graduate in 1962; ASU Master’s Degree, 1967; TKO High School Fraternity Sponsor; Webelos Leader and Cub Master for West School Cub Scouts; served on the Jonesboro City Council for 35 years; Consolidated Youth Home Board; Social Studies Teacher at Annie Camp from 1963-1967; Annie Camp Counselor 1967-1975; JHS Assistant Principal 1975-1990; and JHS Principal from 1990-1999, and School Board Member from 1999-2009. In addition to teaching in the Jonesboro School System, he also taught at Leachville, Arkansas and Portageville, Missouri.

Cecil was preceded in death by his parents; sisters, Kathy Peters, Claudia Shelton; niece, Amy Shelton; Aunts Kathleen Henson and Elizabeth Momany.

Survivors are his wife, Carolyn Drew Province; sons, Cecil Knight Province III, Kevin Blake Province both of Jonesboro; Dandaddy to Blaine Province, and Falen Province also of Jonesboro; sister, Margaret Wood of Heber Springs, Arkansas; nephews, Paul Peters, Robbie Wood, Randy Wood; niece, Whitney Thigpen; aunts, Jin Faulkner, Lois Gordon; and Uncle, Bubba Jackson.

Funeral services will be 10:00 AM Saturday, July 23, 2011 at Emerson Funeral Home with Dr. Bruce Tippit officiating and Emerson Funeral Home in charge. Burial will be at Jonesboro Memorial Park Cemetery with Dr. Charles Coleman, Charles Burge, Leon Brown, Ron McCullar, Alec Farmer and Andy Anderson serving as pallbearers. Honorary pallbearers are former and current faculty of JHS, JPS Administration, Jonesboro City Council TKO Fraternity. Visitation will be from 5-7 Friday night at Emerson Funeral Home.

For those wishing to leave lasting memorials, please consider the Cecil K. Province Memorial % Jonesboro Public School Fine Arts Center, 201 Hurricane Drive, Jonesboro, Arkansas 72401.