WILMINGTON — Martha Cecile Randle Barrington, 84, peacefully entered the presence of her lifelong Lord and Savior on Sunday, June 22, 2025, with loved ones at her earthly side.
Cecile was born to her loving parents, Martha Lavaida Mitchell Randle and Cecil Curtis Randle in Eupora, Mississippi. She was musically gifted which became apparent at a very young age, and blessed others throughout her life with this gift. She began playing piano for her local church at age 12, and continued throughout her life as a church accompanist, pianist, organist, and choir director, until retiring at age 80.
After graduation from Eupora High School, where she played bells in the marching band; she entered Blue Mountain College, majoring in music with a focus in piano, and accompanied madrigals, musicals, instrumental recitals, worship services, and more. Cecile was always glad to support others’ musical endeavors from her place on the piano or organ bench. She was well known to hear a melody, and then create all of the supporting chordal structure, counter-melody, and harmonies, which made her even more appreciated among students and faculty alike.
Cecile spent summers as a counselor in the mountains at her cherished Camp Crestridge enjoying archery, swimming, tennis, and of course, music.
Upon graduation, Cecile moved to Memphis, TN, where she worked as a hostess at Baptist Hospital while serving local churches. It was there that she met Rev. James Oris Barrington, they fell in love, and married in 1963. From Memphis, they followed God’s call to serve churches in Georgia and South Carolina, where they lovingly ministered to many congregations, camps, chaplaincy groups, friends, and family; most notably Park St. Baptist, in Columbia, where Jim was Minister of Music for 20 years; and St. Mary’s Episcopal where Cecile was Organist/Choir Master for 18 years, and at Roberts Music Company where she supported hundreds of church musicians.
Ever the educator, Cecile volunteered heart and soul with the Literacy Council, teaching adult students from under-served populations how to read. Upon Jim’s early passing in 1994, Cecile continued her own education, becoming a certified paralegal, and working as a guardian ad litem with the SC Courts system; and with the SC Department of Nursing at the Labor and Licensing Board. She continued blessing congregations and families with her music, as a wedding and funeral accompanist and a worship substitute accompanist, until she accepted the Organist position at Grace United Methodist, where she served until her retirement and was celebrated for her 72 years of continuous service to God through church music.
Cecile developed a special friendship of 20 years with Duncan Calvin McCormick of Fayetteville, NC, enjoying a whirlwind of travel, theatre, recreation, and additional family to love before his passing in 2024.
After her retirement, Cecile relocated to Richmond, Virginia for 3 years to be near four of her grandchildren before ultimately moving to Wilmington, NC, to enjoy her two younger grandchildren living there. She resided at Peak Resources where her gentle spirit and occasional music blessed all who knew her.
Cecile is predeceased by her parents, her husband of 31 years, her paternal grandparents Leslie Curtis Randle Sr. and Zella Pearl Roberts Randle and maternal grandparents James Perry and Martha Evie McCraw Mitchell, and her loving friend Duncan. She is survived by her brother James Curtis Randle (Frances), son Randle Oris Barrington (Robin), daughter Martha Curtis Barrington Doyle (Christopher), and grandchildren James Mitchell Barrington Doyle, Roberts Franklin White Doyle, Martha Amory Doyle, Annie Josephine Doyle, Elijah Reed Barrington, Lincoln Rain Barrington; Aunt Dixie Germany Mitchell; nieces Leslie Jane Randle Currie (Nick) and Elizabeth Diana Randle Spilman (Jonathan); great-nephews Shep and Paul Spilman; brother-in-law Robert Madison Barrington (Jerleen); and beloved Mitchell, Randle, Roberts, and Barrington cousins, nieces and nephews, great-nieces and great-nephews.
A graveside celebration of life will be held on Sunday, July 6, 2pm, at Sherman Cemetery, Sherman, Mississippi.
In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to Sherman Cemetery fund; Camp Crestridge for Girls, Ridgecrest, NC; Lower Cape Fear Hospice, Wilmington, NC; or a local church of your choice.
