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Cecil Exum Obituary
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He was born on August 7, 1962 in Goldsboro, NC to Johnny Wayne Exum and Barbara Harvey Exum. Cecil will be deeply missed and fondly remembered by his family, Barbara, Aaron, Desiree, Jamaar, Danté and Tierra; as well as, by his close friends, colleagues, and all those whose lives he touched in the USA and abroad.
He was a beloved individual who touched the lives of many. Cecil grew up in Dudley, North Carolina where he discovered his love of basketball at a very early age. His formative years in sports took place at Southern Wayne High School. It was there his legacy started to unfold. During his high school career, Cecil was a star both on and off the court. He was committed to academics and improving the school's culture. His fighting spirit was impactful such that, in 1980, Cecil and his victorious Saints won the North Carolina 4-A State Championship. His star then began to shine brightly. He received the Most Valuable Player Award and had the extraordinary distinction of having his jersey retired by Southern Wayne High School – the first being done in the school's history.
Services of caring, compassionate and distinguished class entrusted to J.B. Rhodes Funeral Home & Cremations of Goldsboro.
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
Roy Caldwell
December 13, 2023
I am extremely sorry not to have learned of Cecil's passing before now. Last night I watched Dante Exum light up the Lakers. I did not know last night that Dante was Cecil's son, but today I was talking about my time at UNC as a grad student and instructor of French, and the name clicked. I follow the NBA, and knew Dante was Australian, but had never made the connection. When Cecil was a freshman, he took French, and I was his tutor through the year. He impressed me mightily, but not in the way you might expect from a star athlete. He was not cocky, smug, and cooler than thou, but incredibly polite, humble, attentive, engaged in what we were trying to do together, and he had beautiful, gentle eyes. It was a pleasure to be around him. After that, I did not see him again until his fourth year. I could not believe how much the country lad had grown. He greeted me warmly, and with a respect I was not sure I merited, and he had assurance and worldliness I had not seen before. (This is the great joy of being an educator: to see how the young develop.) Cecil, I weep for you tonight, and I add my voice to the celebration of your life. And know, that your son is now my favorite of all players, and that I will follow his progress through the beautiful game you loved.
Nemanja Prodanovic
August 15, 2023
Forever in Our Hearts,
Forever One of Us!
August 14, 2023
!
Wes Craft
July 24, 2023
Cecil, you were family to me. Thank you for shaping my life and being such a great part of my childhood.
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DOUGHTY / SMITH FAMILY
July 20, 2023
We will always cherish our fond memories of our time at Werribee basketball.
you were and will always be remembered as a true gentleman with an infectious smile that would light up any room.
deepest condolences to Desiree, Jamaar, Dante and Tierra. RIP
Pattie McCusker
July 8, 2023
Goodbye Cecil. A beautiful man who so generously shared his talents with so many young basketball players. Sympathy to Desiree, Jamar, Tierra and Dante. McCusker family.
Allen King
July 8, 2023
My prayers go out to his family. So proud of what he and his family have achieved. Never met him but followed him throughout his career. He will be missed!
Angela L Jeffries
July 8, 2023
Condolences to the Exum Family
Angela Jeffries
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1701 Wayne Memorial Drive, Goldsboro, NC 27534
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