Obituaries

Cecil L. Malone

Photo of Cecil L. Malone
Cecil L. Malone, 93, passed away peacefully in his sleep Saturday, June 30, 2018. He was born in London, Arkansas to Cecil Malone, Sr and Alma Malone. Cecil was proud of his family and volunteer work. He was preceded in death by his wife of 71 years, Betty Jo Rackley Malone, who passed away exactly three months ago. He was also preceded in death by his parents, cherished daughter, Reverend Mary Cecilia Kelly, sister, Mary Spaulding, and brother, Dr. George Malone. He is survived by his children, Linda (Buddy) Pledger, Teresa (Mike) Bechtel, and Brenda (Kenny) Breckling; his grandchildren, George (Meme) Toney, Tabatha Toney, Kelly (Matt) Weeks, Matt (Brandy) Pledger, Tonya Bechtel Smith, Jonathan (Christina) Bechtel, Amanda Breckling, and Stephanie (Chris) Brown; and his great-grandchildren Savannah and Forest Pledger, Avery and Hayden Weeks, Mason and Josie Brown and Madeline Bechtel. Cecil served in the U.S. Army Air Corps during 1945 to 1947. He attended Arkansas Tech and graduated from Ouachita Baptist where he excelled in basketball. He was then drafted to the NBA but chose to stay with his wife and children. He was dedicated to his volunteer service and serving God. He was one of the original cameramen when PHUMC services became televised 50 years ago. He was a basketball coach when the PHUMC Church League Basketball started 40 years ago. He coached his daughter, Brenda, in softball for several years and also his grandson, Jonathan's basketball team for 4 years. When he retired from his service career as Unemployment Insurance Director at AR Employment Security Division, serving as National President of IAPES. He served on the Arkansas Commercial Board from July 2002 - 2017, Carelink Board, among others. He started Malone Phone Sunday School class for which he taught since it began. He helped create Helping Hands Respite Care Program in 1996 and helped every Tuesday he was able since the beginning. He received many volunteer awards, Channel 4 Annual Community Service Award and the latest was a Lifetime Service Award presented on August 8, 2017. He will be missed. In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be made to PHUMC Foundation, Malone Older Adult Endowment for Helping Hands 4823 Woodlawn, Little Rock, Ark. Funeral services will be held Tuesday, July 3, 2018 at Pulaski Heights United Methodist Church at 11 a.m., with Dr. Jeffrey Hampton officiating. Arrangements by Little Rock Funeral Home, 8801 Knoedl Ct., Little Rock, Ark. 72205 (501) 224-2200. Mr. Malone's online guestbook may be signed at www.littlerockfuneralhome.com.

Published July 3, 2018

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