Contributed by the Family
Cecil Arvid Humphries Sr., affectionately known as “Mr. Poke,’’ who was involved in many community projects, died at his home in Covington, Kentucky, on December 5, 2019, He was 74.
Mr. Humphries was born on November 15, 1945, and preceded in death by his father, Teacher Humphries, and mother, Emma Jane Humphries. He graduated from Holmes High School, Covington, Kentucky, in1964 and was active in band, choir, football, basketball and track.
He joined the Navy after high school and trained as a medical corpsman. He was assigned to the Philadelphia Naval Hospital where he met Dorothy K. Smith. She proved to be the love of his life, and they were married on October 1, 1966.
The couple lived in Philadelphia, where Mr. Humphries was employed at The Jewish Hospital as an IV therapy technician. In October 1968, the family moved to Covington, Kentucky, where he worked at the General Motors plant until it closed. The family returned to Philadelphia in 1986, where he worked at the Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania. On June 29, 2007, Mrs. Humphries died of a heart attack after a battle with cancer. Mr. Humphries continued working at the hospital, until he retired, and then moved back to Covington.
During his life, Mr. Humphries was involved in many community projects. Sometimes as an “agitator,” as he would call it, and many times as a “facilitator,’’
He was a member of Macedonia Baptist Church. He was an enthusiastic reader on subjects from philosophy, history, science, politics, history and biographies. During his retirement years, he loved to travel by train and the “Big Blue Bus.”
Many people were attracted to his outgoing personality, and kind-heartedness. He would give you the shirt off his back. He had a love for people, music and dancing, and it was always a party at “Uncle Cecil’s” house.
Mr. Humphries is survived by his daughter, Tracie Soucie; sons, Cecil Jr., Anthony, and Bivian; son-in law, Jerry Soucie, daughter in laws, Marion, Carolynn, and Candie, 16 grandchildren, Armani, Brooklynn, Cree, Brittany, Erika, Cecil III, Tyler, Kristiani, Ariana, Anthony Jr. (TJ), Devon, Julian, Wallace, Bivian Jr., Jordan, and Anaya; and nine great-grandchildren.
He is survived by brothers Robert, Fred, and Richard, and sisters Deborah Humphries and Patricia Fann. He was predeceased by brothers Vernon and Kenneth.