Cecil duCille

PORT ST. LUCIE, Fla. – Cecil James duCille, 87, died Tuesday, Oct. 20, 2009, in Dewey.

Funeral services will be at 2 p.m. Nov. 1 at Living Word Fellowship, 1202 N. Lombard, in Mahomet, with visitation two hours prior to the service. Mr. Peter Schneider will officiate. Interment will be on Nov. 8 in Fernhill Cemetery in Stewart, Fla.

Cecil was born in Kingston, Jamaica, West Indies, Sept. 30, 1922. He had seven brothers and one sister. He was preceded in death by his wife, Mavis M. duCille, on Nov. 23, 2008.

He is survived by four sons, Donavon and his wife Norma, Port St. Lucie, Fla., Lewin and his wife Norma, Ft. Lauderdale, Fla., Carl, Montego Bay, Jamaica, and Hanson Morand, New York City; 29 grandchildren; 21 great-grandchildren; and one great-great granddaughter; as well as nieces and nephews throughout the U.S., Canada and Jamaica. He is also survived by thousands of spiritual children he fathered in the Ministry of the Gospel of Jesus Christ in which he faithfully labored worldwide for more than 60 years.

Cecil graduated from of University of West Indies, with degrees in Agricultural Economics and in Accounting. He was in the first class that graduated from this university. He held the position of Head Accountant for the governmental Department of Agriculture in Jamaica, West Indies, for many years. He and Mavis also owned and taught at a private school in Jamaica.

Cecil was called to the ministry, and commissioned by Jesus Christ as a minister of the Gospel in 1948. Throughout the course of his life, Cecil and Mavis carried the Gospel of the Kingdom of Jesus Christ worldwide, establishing born-again congregations throughout the globe. He ministered throughout the Island of Jamaica for many years. Then in 1969 he was sent by God to the United States to warn the people of God of the destruction that was coming. They resided in Port St. Lucie, Fla., since coming the U.S., and through their ministry, Sonlight Ministries International, they helped establish works throughout Europe, Africa, India and many other countries. Many trips to India and Africa helped build orphanages and encouraged the people of God to continue in the great work of evangelism.

Their work in Africa began in Lagos, Nigeria, in 1987, and today has spread through most of the rest of Africa. Cecil and Mavis traveled tirelessly through the entire world, teaching and preaching wherever the doors would open to receive the revelation that God had given to them.

Mr. duCille was also the editor of the Omega Message, a monthly newsletter distributed globally since 1973. He has authored four books, "The Pattern," a book that describes the spiritual significance of the Tabernacle of Moses, and a three-volume commentary on the book of Revelations titled "Revelation 1, 2, 3." It is one of the most complete and comprehensive writings on the Book of Revelation in existence. It is a verse-by-verse description of the meanings and emphasis of one of the most misunderstood books of the Bible.

After his wife's death last year, he moved to Illinois and was staying with ministry associates when he went home to be with the Lord.

Mr. duCille loved the Lord Jesus Christ with his whole heart and devoted his entire life to service to his King. He had a great love for music, specifically sacred music and the classics. He especially loved Handel's "Messiah." He was extremely proficient in agriculture, astronomy, literature, history, and the Bible.

The Bible, without exception, was his favorite text, and what he called the only blueprint for a successful life. He loved life and demonstrated that continually in his every activity. His service to the Body of Christ throughout the entire world left a legacy of his love for God and his love for God's people. He will be sorely missed and never forgotten as his ministry has touched the lives of four generations.

Condolences may be offered at www.owensfuneralhomes.com