Edgar Cecil Caylor, Sr., 102, of Dalton, Georgia, died on Sunday, May 1, 2016.
He was born on the Nov. 28, 1913 to the late Clint and Melissa Caylor who lived in Murray County, GA. He accepted Christ into his life at the age of thirteen at Calvary Baptist Church in Murray County and later was ordained as a Deacon at Liberty Baptist Church located on Tibbs Bridge Road, Dalton, Georgia. His love of the Lord has always been central in his life and has been instilled in his family from the beginning. His favorite bible passages were John 3:16 and John 14. He also was a member and Past Master of Dalton Masonic Lodge, F. & A.M.
He married Rosie Payne on September 1, 1934. His union with Rosie lasted 65 years until her passing on July 18, 1999. He always said that Rosie was the prettiest girl he had ever seen and referred to their marriage as “the girl with which we share eternal love”.
He was raised on a tenant farm in Murray County until marriage to Rosie. They lived for several years in Fry, Georgia. Times were tough working for 25 cents an hour when work was available. He eventually got a job at the Tennessee Copper Company in the Acid Plant for 50 cents an hour. After that, he worked in Oak Ridge on the machine that split the atom which resulted in the Atomic Bomb. After the war he bought a small farm located at the fork of the Conasauga River and Coahulla Creek in Whitfield County where he built a house by hand which has been his home ever since.
He loved to trout fish, prospect, and to camp out with family. After retirement he could be found in his shop working on inventions, down on the river or creek, checking his muscadine vines, watching the humming birds while keeping an eye out for wild turkey and deer.
Cecil had a creative mind and was mechanically gifted. This led to a number of inventions over the years such as his windmills that still stand in several friends’ and family members’ yards. He always said, “If I dream it, I can build it”.
At the age of 85, he authored and published his autobiography titled “Life Chart”, which set out the hard times, obstacles, disappointments, heartbreaks, traumas, pleasures, and accomplishments during his life. He loved life and was a very caring person who would converse with whomever he came in contact with. No one was a stranger to him and he was completely without prejudice. He was a person recognized and respected as a person who kept his word. His word being his bond. He was dearly loved by his children, grandchildren and others.
He was preceded in death by his wife, Rosie; daughter and son, Rose Ann and Gene who died at birth; brothers, William Eli and J.D. (Red) Caylor; and sisters, Maggie Bright and Esta Green.
He is survived by his sons and daughters-in-law, Arnold and Janell Caylor, Raymond and Kathy Caylor and Edgar Caylor, Jr.; daughter and son-in-law, Dorothy and Cecil Miller; grandsons, Brian and Tammy Miller, Todd and Kim Miller, Heath and Frances Caylor, Randy Miller and Jonathan Caylor; great-grandchildren, Drew Miller(Megan), Mark Miller, Joshua Miller, John Matthew Miller, Ryan Miller, Kylie Caylor and Aiden Caylor; sisters, Jessie Dunn, Louise Deal, Ruth Turvey, Wilma Caylor, Margaret Mynes, Brenda Davidson, Betty Bradt and Patsy Campbell; and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins and friends.
Funeral services for Cecil Caylor Sr. will be on Wednesday, May 4 at 2 p.m. in the Chapel of Love Funeral Home with Dr. Danny Cochran and the Rev. James Smith officiating. Burial will be Whitfield Memorial Gardens.
The family will receive friends at Love Funeral Home on Tuesday, May 3 from 4:30 to 8:30 p.m.
In lieu of flowers the requests that memorials be made to the American Heart Association, 519 East 4th St. Chattanooga, TN. 37403 or to the Alzheimer’s Association, GA Chapter, 922 E. Morris St. Dalton, Ga. 30721
Words of comfort may be sent to the family at www.lovefuneralhomega.com.
Love Funeral Home, 1402 N. Thornton Ave., Dalton (across from Hamilton Medical Center) is in charge of arrangements.