Cecil B. Gremillion

Cecil B. Gremillion, beloved father, grandfather, great-grandfather, community service leader, Cursillista, motivated businessman, passed away after a prolonged illness in Abbeville on March 31, 2014. Visitation will be at Our Lady of the Bayou (formerly Old Dominican Convent 1318 South Henry Street in Abbeville) beginning at 3 p.m. on Tuesday April 1, 2014 until 8:00 p.m. Rosary will be at 7:00 p.m. Visitation will continue Wednesday from 8:00 a.m. until the time of service. Father Chester Arceneaux will celebrate a Mass of Christian Burial at Our Lady of the Bayou at 10:00 a.m. All who knew and loved Cecil will be warmly welcome.
A native of Alexandria, Louisiana, Cecil’s roots were in Ville Platte, Louisiana. He met and married Beverlee Marie Hollier from Abbeville when they were students at SLI in 1941. Always a real patriot, Cecil enlisted in the Army Air Corps in WWII, where he attained officer status as a First Lieutenant whose role was Bombardier Navigator Instructor. After the war, the young family settled in Abbeville and opened a furniture business with Beverlee’s brother Walter Hollier. Known for the innovative sales and a large inventory, the store soon became Gremillion’s Furniture. Seven Gremillion Furniture Stores were opened all over Acadiana including one on Jefferson Street in Lafayette.
Soon his business ventures expanded to Gremillion Real Estate. One of the earliest Realtors in Abbeville, his company sold hundreds of homes to a happy clientele.
Real Estate led to interest in building movable houses in a company he co-founded called Three Friends Homebuilders. These affordable homes that could be moved onto the homeowner’s land were stylish, strong and durable, and brought success to the concept of movable homes. Three Friends Builders also bought and developed the Big Woods Subdivision south of Abbeville.
Two of Cecil’s favorite enterprises were the Vermilion Savings and Loan where he served as the President for 20 years. Cecil was the prime mover in securing the road to Freshwater City. Freshwater City was a passion of his. He served as the President for several decades of RipTide Investors, Inc. RipTide operates the Port of Freshwater City, a Vermilion gateway to the Gulf of Mexico.
Cecil immediately became an “Abbevillian” and was zealous to contribute his energy and inspiration to the development of Abbeville. He served on the Chamber of Commerce for many years and as its President for over a decade. He was a member of the Kiwanis Club and served it as its President for a number of years. He was one of the organizers of the Louisiana Tarpon Rodeo in Intracoastal City. He was also a member of the Knights of Columbus, the Abbeville Jaycees, and the Woodmen of the World.
Cecil’s Catholic Faith meant a lot to him. He attended Cursillo # 13 at Prairie Rhonde with Fr. Fidelis. When his health declined, he had more time to devote to a life of prayer and sacrifice.
He had so many interests and pastimes: hunting, deep-sea fishing, swimming, diving, reading, and writing. Cecil has long loved the Saints and LSU football. After forty-three years of being a fan, he watched the Saints win Super Bowl XLIV.
The greatest contribution of Cecil Gremillion was his devotion to his family. He inspired in his children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren a love for life and a quick smile. His witty remarks kept the whole family focused, close together and enjoying him as a Patriarch with a generous heart and a listening ear.
He is survived by fifty-three direct descendants. His children are Genie Summers, wife of Frank Summers, their children – Beau, Sarah, Susanna, Mary Magdalen, Simon-Peter, Joseph and John Paul; Bruce married to Liz E. Gremillion – their children Cecil, III and Crystal, Brian married to Connie M. Gremillion – their children, Angelle and Jared; Jed married to Heidi T. Gremillion; and Rachel Broussard, wife of Jude Broussard, their children, Joshua and Jennifer. Robin and Gabriel Gremillion (sons of Brian by a former marriage), were raised in their home as sons. All of his children reside in Acadiana. He had seventeen grandchildren and thirty-one great-grandchildren. He is also survived by his loving and faithful caretakers Dana Knatt and Wilmer Baudoin. He will also be missed by many nieces and nephews and lifelong friends.
Cecil was preceded in death by his beloved wife, Beverlee, married sixty-seven years; his parents Kildren and Marietta Gremillion; his sister, Virginia Gremillion West, his infant son, Robin Ryan; and his grandsons Paul Nicholas Jordan and Michael Joseph Gremillion.