Cecil E. Goodwin

Cecil Goodwin, beloved father to three children, 69, of Pleasant Grove, AL, passed away on Monday, October 27, leaving a void his family cannot fill.

He was born in Selma, AL, on June 5, 1956 to Vernie (Tittle) Goodwin and Cecil Ellis Goodwin, Sr. The third child and only son, he brought a new kind of joy to a family already rich with love. 

Cecil graduated from Pleasant Grove High School in 1975, before enlisting in the the Army Reserves. He later went on to work at a security firm in Birmingham where he remained until his health prevented him from continuing. A devoted and fun father to Cecil Ellis Goodwin, III (Jessica), Angela (Tony) Marmo, and Casey Goodwin; he was proud of all of his children and told them daily that he loved them.

Driving was his favorite. He would drive his family around on exciting hilly roads, tell spooky stories while driving in the dark or to local haunted spots, and take the family on vacations, blasting his favorite songs on the radio and singing along. He loved classic cars and building model versions with artistic detail.

Being highly artistic, his drawings and doodles were found on everything; while his little match men were proudly put on display around the home.

Music was a huge part of his life. He enjoyed southern rock, blues, and classic country. He loved to pull out his record player, records, and play us all his favorites while singing along and telling us fun facts about the bands.

Cecil loved comedy and a good laugh. He loved harmless pranks on his loved ones and always had a joke to share. He was an extrovert who loved being with people. He and his best friend would write song parodies and perform them to friends. Game nights, cookouts, parties, he always knew how to have a great time.

A lover of cinema, his favorite family pastime at home was watching cheesy horror or romance movies while providing hilarious commentary. Reality TV, SNL, Tales From the Crypt, Animal House, Blues Brothers, and Monty Python were quoted daily.

Holidays were magical. Every year, he would take his kids to see fireworks in downtown Birmingham on the Fourth of July, hid Easter eggs in the yard, escorted everyone to trick or treat, filled Christmas stockings with surprises, drove everyone around to admire Christmas lights, all to the soundtrack of seasonal music. New Year’s Eve with Dick Clark and Thanksgiving with the Macy’s Parade were non-negotiable traditions.

VIsitation will be Thursday, October 30, 2025 at Patterson Forest Grove Funeral Home from 1:00 PM until the start of service. Funeral service will begin at 2:00 PM in the chapel with burial to follow in the adjoining cemetery.

Patterson Forest Grove Funeral Home and Crematory is honored to serve the Goodwin family during their time of bereavement. Expressions of sympathy and condolences may be shared at www.pattersonfuneralhomes.com.

"Building relationships~One family at a time."