Cecelia Cuffee

To everything there is a season, and a time to every purpose under the heaven… Ecclesiastes 3:1

A time to be born… Ecclesiastes 3:2

Cecelia Laden Nixon Cuffee was born on March 6, 1941, to the late Robert Rudolph and Georgianna Nixon (Gibbs) in Norfolk County, Virginia. Cecelia and Cecil Nixon were twins, and she had five other brothers. She was the only girl.

A time to love… Ecclesiastes 3:8

Cecelia was united in holy matrimony to the late Hardie Columbus Cuffee, Sr. God blessed them with four children and one special son. Preceded in death: father, Rudolph Nixon and mother, Georgianna Gibbs; siblings, Lee James Nixon, Dennis Al Nixon, and Ronnie Lionel Gibbs.

A time to plant (live)… Ecclesiastes 3:2

Cecelia graduated from Crestwood High School in Chesapeake, VA. She also attended Commonwealth College and was certified as a Medical Assistant. For 15 years, she worked as a Medical Assistant for Dr. Larry Legum in Chesapeake, VA. She became very close friends with Dr. Legum, his family, and his entire staff. After retiring, they built a long-term friendship that included annual Christmas parties, group trips, and attended Broadway shows.

Cecelia worked as a School Bus Driver and a certified Bus Driver Instructor for Chesapeake Public Schools for over 20 years. She received a Safe Driving Award for 21 years of safely driving students to school, home, and events. Cecelia was highly respected and revered by her peers as a feisty but sweet, funny, and loving person. She is still remembered and loved by her former students.

Cecelia lived a good, full life. Most importantly, she was SAVED, and she was a WORSHIPPER! She praised her Jesus every opportunity she got! Cecelia loved the Word of God. She was a faithful and devoted Sunday School teacher, Bible student, Missionary, Event Planner, and Fundraiser. Her Christian foundation was established at Saint Grace Holiness Church and further developed at First Pentecostal United Holy Church (UHC). At the time of her passing, Cecelia was a devoted member of New Rising Sun UHC.


At the age of nine, Cecelia started making meals for her family. Her skills developed and she became well known for her cooking. She was most known for her famous chocolate cake made from “scratch”, homemade rolls, collard greens, and apple and sweet potato jacks. She used her cooking skills to feed the homeless, to fundraise for churches, and to show her love to others.

A time to mourn… Ecclesiastes 3:4

Cecelia was lovingly known as Mom, Grandma CeCe, Nana, Aunt Cee Cee, and “The Roll Lady”. Cecelia’s legacy includes, two daughters - Gail Cuffee Bradshaw (Bill “Leroy”) and Patricia Annette Terry (Marion “Sonny”); two sons - Hardie Columbus Cuffee, Jr. and Dennis Al Cuffee (Colette), one special son - Wendell Linyear (Christine); 14 grandchildren, 14 great-grandchildren, and 2 great-great-grandchildren; her twin brother, Cecil Nixon, her brother, Warner Gibbs, Jr. (Melba); special aunts - Doris Wilson Edmonds and Pauline Sykes Smith; special uncle - Roscoe Wilson (Maryanne); sisters and brothers-in-love and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins and friends.

A time to die… Psalms 116:5

“Precious in the sight of the Lord is the death of His saints.”

Cecelia often spoke of the healing power of God and His unconditional love. Her favorite scripture was Romans 8:28, “And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to His purpose.” Cecelia Nixon Cuffee, 80, of Chesapeake, Virginia, received her eternal reward and complete healing on Wednesday, October 27, 2021. God blessed Cecelia with a peaceful transition at home, surrounded by her loved ones.

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