Cornell Felton Casteel Sr.

1917 - 2009

Cornell Felton Casteel Sr. 1917 - 2009 Viewing and visitation to begin Friday, August 28, 2009 at 3:00 p.m. with an hour of mediation to be held from 6:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. in the Chapel of Beloved Care Funeral Home for Cornell F. Casteel, Sr. 92, who passed away August 19, 2009. Funeral services will be held on Saturday, August 29, 2009 at 10:00 a.m. at Peoples Missionary Baptist Church, (1451 Madison Street); Rev. Ishmael Kimbrough officiating, with interment to follow at Hillcrest Memorial Park. Cornell Felton Casteel, Sr. was born on August 10, 1917 in Idabel, Oklahoma to Benjamin and Josephine Casteel. He was the third of four children. He attended Langston University where he majored in photography and was a star basketball player. Some years later, he married Hazel Lee Stinson of Boswell, Oklahoma. In 1943 Cornell, his wife and their two sons moved to Bakersfield, California. To this union eight children were born. Casteel, as he was known by many, was a kind and generous man. He was always there for his family with words of strength and financial support. He was preceded in death by his mother and father, brother Arnett, his loving wife Hazel of 63 years, his son Robert Casteel, and daughter Brenda Casteel-Bell. He leaves to mourn his home going his children, Rrahim (W.J.) Casteel and Jahctor Ferri (Larry) Casteel of Hawaii; Jan Casteel-Fleury and husband Darrell; Kenneth Casteel; Cornell Casteel Jr. and wife Dyneshia; Darryl Casteel and wife Natha, all of Bakersfield; siblings Geneva Wright and Clarence Casteel of Oklahoma City; his favorite sister-in-law, Imola York of Oakland; son-in-law, Raymond Bell of Monrovia; daughter-in-laws Linda Casteel-Gonzales of Fresno, Barbara Lino-Casteel and Doreen Casteel of Bakersfield; 14 grandchildren; 17 great-grandchildren; 8 great-great grandchildren; and a host of extended family members and friends.