Cecil Delbert Kidd of Cross Lanes passed away on November 29, 2010 following a sudden illness.

Cecil was born on September 12, 1932 in Kanawha County, the son of Shelly and Hettie Jane Kidd. Cecil was preceded in death by his parents and by sisters Pauline Allen, Betty Dodd, Drema Moore and Helen Reed.

He is survived and sadly missed by his loving wife Ruby, with whom he celebrated 55 years of marriage two weeks ago; his children and their spouses Terri and Mark McCormick of Cross Lanes, Doris "DJ" and Jerome Tarnowski of Chicago, Illinois, and Michael and Lisa Kidd of Hurricane. Cecil doted on his five grandchildren, Whitney Shamblin, Summer Matson, Daniel McCormick, Aaron Kidd and Andrew Kidd. Cecil adored his great-grandchildren Abigail, Elijah and Josiah Shamblin, Malachi Parsons, Brodie Tyler, and Brooklyn and Braelyn Roberts. He is also survived by beloved sister Goldie Shamblin, and loved brothers-and-sisters-in-law, Tom Allen, Jim Reed, Ted and Rebecca Carter, Leona Birchfield, Bud and Shirley Saunders, and Walt and Karen Saunders. He also loved his many nieces and nephews.

Cecil worked for Pepsi-Cola Bottlers of Charleston for twenty years, then established his own business, C.D. Specialty, which he ran for 15 years. Rather than retire, he obtained his Commercial Drivers License and worked for the Kanawha County Board of Education for a number of years. Following his retirement in the late 90's, he worked for his son until last year.

The following is a tribute from his children.

Dad loved his God, his sweetheart Ruby, his family and friends, and his country. He was a man of great compassion and high moral standards who passed along a sense of right and wrong balanced with a heart of gold. He had a strong work ethic and taught us that children are expected to work hard and share the fruits of that labor with God and fellow man. We confess that he also passed along a strong will to each of us – an attribute to which our spouses and children would surely attest.

Dad loved his country. He proudly served with the U.S. Army in Germany during the Korean War. He and Mom recently attended the Veteran's Day parade, after which he proudly went to Applebee's and presented his discharge papers to claim his free meal. Dad was interested in politics and was so proud of Aaron's political aspirations and his leadership in the Young Republicans.

In the 50's, Dad met his beloved Ruby at an Elk River "baptizin". He noticed her dark hair and rosy cheeks and realized she needed an umbrella because it had started raining. And so it began. Until last week, Dad sat with his arm around Mom during church. Frequently during conversations with others, he would squeeze her hand and declare "I love that woman!"

Dad loved people. He was a connector. He loved lively conversations about politics and religion. The saying "he never met a stranger" must surely have been coined for our Dad. A few weeks ago, he was sitting in traffic in a construction zone beside the flagman. Dad rolled down his window. . . . By the time Dad was waved on, he knew the flagman's name, a brief life history and the worker knew the same about Dad.

Dad was a born-again Christian. His and Mom's well-worn Bibles full of notes show clear evidence of the daily Bible reading and prayer that marked their early mornings. Dad was not a Christian in name only. He was a true living witness of God's grace and mercy. He demonstrated his love in manifold ways with acts of kindness and charity. Dad's crowning achievements are not the stuff of career or front-page accomplishments. Rather, they are countless humble acts of giving, lending a hand, visiting the sick and hurting. Dad lived his Christianity. He was an active member of Rock Branch Independent Church in Nitro. Mom and all of us will miss you deeply, Dad but we know you are Home.

"I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith. Henceforth, there is laid up for me a crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, shall give to me at that day; and not to me only, but unto all them also that love his appearing. II Timothy 2: 7, 8

Last Saturday before Dad became ill, he talked about his plans to go buy food for the food pantry. He was moved by the newspaper article about local food pantries' low inventory. Accordingly, the family respectfully requests that in lieu of flowers, donations be made to the Union Mission Ministries, P.O. Box 112, Charleston, WV. 25321

The family would like to express its deepest gratitude for the excellent and compassionate care provided by Dr. Patrick Stone and CAMC Memorial staff Shelly Conley, Kim Ellis, Ashley Christopher and Joey Kay.

Visitation will be from 12 p.m. to 3 p.m., Thursday, December 2, 2010.

Funeral service will be held at 3 p.m., Thursday, December 2, 2010 at Rock Branch Independent Church with Pastor Delbert Hawley officiating, burial following at Ortin Heights Cemetery.

Arrangements are in the care of Keller Funeral Home, Dunbar.