Cecelia Salley Spinks

Cecelia Salley Spinks, 77 of Ocean Springs, MS passed away on May 20, 2025.

She was born on December 31, 1947, at Saint Francis Hospital in Monroe, Louisiana, and given the birth name of Cecelia Carlton Salley. She was married to her husband, Harrison (Harry) Spinks on June 4, 1966, and took the name Cecilia Salley Spinks. She grew up in Shreveport, Louisiana, graduating from Byrd high school in 1965, and attended Northeast Louisiana State College studying nursing. Although she gave birth to two sons, Steve and Randy, she loved and nurtured many other children. She and her family moved to New Orleans, living there 26 years, and completed her nursing degree.

Upon moving to the MS Gulf Coast in 1993, she was employed by Garden Park hospital as the Infection Control department head. She really liked the control part (LOL). She was a devout Christian and served the Lord for most of her life, was a great mentor for other women, taught life skills, and she and Harry counseled other couples through their marriage difficulties.

Celie always said that one of her Spiritual gifts was the gift of sarcasm.

Celie leaves behind Harry; sons, Steve (Melinda), Randy (Tisha), Mark (Stephanie), and Grandchildren, Seth (Heather), Sarah (Thomas), Joshua (Priscilla), Micah (Olivia), Kaylee (Josiah), Harrison, Caleb, Jacob (Kienna), Katherine, and David.

Her whole motive in life was to serve others with a cheerful heart and always looked upon that desire as a privilege. As we have been blessed with a Christian heritage that she has passed to many of us, it is our responsibility before God to carry this forward with our families. Each of us whose life that had been by her, is responsible to do as she did, whether convenient or not convenient or not popular, is to have the heart of a servant. It is time that we (those of us that have run to Celie, the spiritual warrior, for help in spiritual battle, prayer support, and Godly wisdom, to GROW UP and do what she did, putting herself aside, she got on her face before God on behalf of the needs for others, and then, got up and did what God commanded with a humble and obedient heart. She was a Proverbs 31 woman, warrior, mentor, and wife.

A celebration of life will be held at 11:00 am on Saturday, May 31, 2025 at Cedar Lake Christian Assembly of Biloxi, 11555 Cedar Lake Rd., Biloxi, MS. Friends may visit one hour prior.

Bradford-O’Keefe Funeral Homes is honored to serve the family of Cecelia Spinks.