Dr. Cecil James Robertson age 100 went to be with the Lord at his residence in Tumbling Shoals, Arkansas, Saturday evening, March 21, 2020. He was born April 4, 1919 in Ava, Missouri, the son of the late Tommy and Lula Marlar Robertson.
He was a long-time minister serving General Baptist Churches. He and his family, wife Lois and daughter Shalah, began serving in Oakland City, Indiana while he obtained a B.S. Degree as well as ministerial training from Oakland City Bible College. After graduation he accepted a Home Mission assignment in Welling, Oklahoma. To Welling the family moved. A dilapidated teacherage on the grounds of a one room school was the home. The first year he worked making the school livable while he pastored the Welling Church, taught school grades one through eight. He began plans for a youth camp outreach on the church grounds. The camp was later named Camp Robertson in his honor. A Cherokee Indian Church was also organized.
Later the family moved to Tahlequah, Oklahoma pastoring and building a new church there. As time passed, he and Lois moved to Muskogee, Oklahoma building and pastoring a church there. His next pastorate was the First General Baptist Church in Springfield, Missouri. Brother Robertson was active in denominational planning, associations, policy boards and writing Christian materials. From Springfield he and Lois moved to Branson, Missouri pastoring Branson General Baptist Church. They were actively involved in singing and playing musical instruments. During this time, they met many professional musicians such as the Sons of the Pioneers and other performers who became close friends and attendees at his church.
Beautiful music on Sunday mornings followed by an inspiring sermon was the pattern. The Sons of the Pioneers inducted Pastor Cecil Robertson as an honorary member into their group presenting him a special plaque one Sunday morning. The “Sons”, over a hundred-year history, have only two honorary members. Cecil and Lois moved to Ida, Arkansas where their daughter and family lived. He said, “I want to meet the people here before I kick the bucket.” He did! He was a supply pastor at Wilburn, Heber Springs, Chastain Chapel, and Howard General Baptist Churches. He and Lois loved the people so much.
Cecil and Lois were a wonderful team for their Lord. Preaching, organizing choirs, instrumental groups and singing with their daughter and family here in Arkansas. His favorite instruments to play were the guitar and harmonica. His daughter said her joy was joining this music. Lois on piano, Cecil on guitar and harmonica and she playing organ and keyboard. Singing together was great.
Brother Cecil loved gardening, building churches and homes, playing golf, singing and playing music but most of all preaching the gospel of his Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. He never tired of witnessing to others even past his 100th birthday. His loving smile, energy and sense of humor will be greatly missed. Cecil and Lois are together again, this time with their Lord and the host of Heaven. Let us all strive to meet them there; I think they will be looking.
He was preceded in death by his wife, Lois Robertson; his parents; two sisters, Bessie Kellogg and Betha Robertson; four brothers, Russell, Clifford, Fred and Pete Robertson. Survivors include his daughter, Shalah Slayton and husband Jerry of Ida, Arkansas; two grandchildren, Torry James Slayton and Todd Slayton; three great-grandchildren, Sawyer Slayton, Erica Crumley and Stone Slayton and many friends.
Due to the current Coronavirus situation a public service will be held at a late date. In lieu of flowers you may contribute to the Cecil Robertson Bible Fund at First Security Bank in Heber Springs, Arkansas
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