WILMINGTON — Cecil Franklin Eakins went to his heavenly home on March 11, 2026 in Punta Arenas, Chile. He and Judie were on a South American and Antarctic cruise when Cecil was taken ill.
He was born on August 21, 1942 in Duplin County to Cecil G. and Mildred Johnson Eakins.
After graduating from Atkinson High School in 1960, Cecil attended Ringling School of Art (now Ringling University) in Sarasota, Florida. When he entered Ringling, he found that most of the students had studied art in high school, but Atkinson did not offer any type of art classes which left Cecil with a huge disadvantage. Because of his amazing talent and his hard work ethic, he graduated in 1963 second in his class.
With this education, he set out on a career as art director for an advertising agency in High Point and then two other advertising agencies in Winston-Salem, one which he was fifty percent owner. In 1987, he and his wife moved to Dallas, Texas where Judie had an opportunity to do a turnaround of a company and Cecil had time to focus on his fine arts. He continued working for a couple of clients remotely while spending time painting.
In 1987, he and his wife, Judie, combined their talents to open a design and photography studio in Dallas. Over the next thirteen years, with a staff of 150 talented people, they developed the still to this day best photography and design studio in North America. In 2000, they were approached by three different buyers and as they now had grandchildren in Wilmington, as well as aging parents it seemed like God had, once again, shown his hand in their life so they sold and moved to Wilmington where they continue to live.
Since a young boy, Cecil’s passion has been his painting. As a third grade student, he produced a painting that was so good his principal, Mr. Shaw, hung it in his office. Cecil’s paintings have been recognized around the world as originals and prints and have been sold in the US as well as Canada, England, Australia, and other countries. He was commissioned by The Franklin Mint to do a series of 12 songbirds which they produced on collector plates and were sold throughout the world. While all this recognition was great, the thing Cecil enjoyed most was giving an original painting or print to someone in his life who meant so much to him.
Cecil’s parents, Cecil and Mildred Eakins; and mother and father in law, Frances and Pearlie Norris preceded him in death.
Cecil is survived by his wife of 62 years, Judie Norris Eakins; his son, Dr. Darrin F. Eakins; granddaughter, Emily Rose Eakins; grandson, Alex William Eakins; brother, Dr. Bill Eakins (Shelby); sister, Pat Eakins Simmons (Skeet); sisters in laws, Sheila Norris Miller and Sherry Norris Reeves; brother in laws, Dale Norris (Diane), Ronny Norris, and Tommy Norris (Sarah); special friends, Melanie Wooten and Amanda Aburahmeh; and many nieces and nephews and great nieces and nephews in the Eakins and Norris families.
The Celebration of Life service for Cecil Franklin Eakins will be 2:00 p.m. Saturday, April 11, 2026 at Wrightsville United Methodist Church with Pastor Doug Lain conducting the service.
Following the Celebration of Life service there will be a reception and a time for sharing memories in the church fellowship hall.
It is Cecil and Judie’s request that no neckties be worn at Cecil’s Celebration of Life service.
The family suggests that you consider in lieu of flowers memorial contribution to Wrightsville United Methodist Church, 4 Live Oak Drive, Wrightsville Beach, NC 28480 or to Kelly Volunteer Fire Department, PO Box 39, Kelly, NC 28448.
Shared memories and condolences may be sent to the family here.
