Rev. Cecil G. Irwin Sr.

Rev. Cecil G. Irwin Sr., of Roanoke, Va., passed away on September 25, 2009, at 1:15 a.m. in the hospice unit of the Veterans Affairs Medical Center, in Salem, Va. He suffered multiple illnesses, including cancer for three years. He served as a chaplain at the VA Hospital for 25 years. He graduated from high school in Unadilla, Ga., and then served for four years in the United States Navy, including 13 months in Korea. He married Martha Ann Irwin, who survives him, along with one daughter, Vicki Smith, of Landenberg, Pa.; one son, Cecil Irwin Jr., of Fairfax, Va. and Smith Mountain Lake; three grandsons, Greg Smith, Brady Irwin and Nicholas Irwin; one sister, Martha Bashaw and husband, Donald, of Unadilla, Ga.; two brothers, Billy H. Irwin and wife, La Rue, of Perry, Ga., and James R. Irwin and wife, Brenda, also of Unadilla, Ga.; one niece and five nephews. He was in the Civil Service in Ga., Texas and Ohio before his call to the ministry. Cecil graduated from Mercer University, Macon, Ga. in 1960 and received his Master of Divinity degree in 1968 from Southern Baptist Theological Seminary, Louisville, Ky. He has specialized training in pastoral care, Religious and mental health, death and dying counseling and alcohol treatment. He served churches in Ga., Ind., Ky. and Crystal Springs Baptist in Roanoke, Va. He served for four years on the Ga. Baptist Convention's Executive committee, four years on the Ky. state Baptist Executive committee and for two years on the Committee of Committees. He served on the Board of the Mental Health Association in Roanoke for six years. He was actively involved in several civic organizations in different states. He is a member of Crystal Springs Baptist in Roanoke and previously at Grandin Court Baptist. He was preceded in death by his mother, Ruby Shughart Irwin; and his father, George Earnest Irwin. He was also preceded in death by his sister, Ernestine of Hawkinsville, Ga. Friends may call at Oakey's South Chapel on Monday, September 28, 2009, from 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 p.m. The memorial service will be held on Tuesday, September 29, 2009, at 2 p.m. at Grandin Court Baptist Church. Pastor Rev. Kevin Meadows will officiate. His remains will be interred at a later date in Arlington National Cemetery.