Fayetteville NC – SGM Cecil Edwin Ames, Jr. (retired), 71, and wife SGM Alice Marie Ames (retired) 71, of Fayetteville, NC, passed away at the Cape Fear Valley Medical Center. Cecil departed on September 9, 2017 and was joined shortly thereafter by Alice on September 12.
Cecil was born in 1946 to Cecil and Mary Ames in Lane County, Oregon. SGM Cecil Ames was assigned to USASOC units and served in various assignments as a Special Forces soldier. He served multiple tours in Vietnam and other regions of Southeast Asia. SGM Ames was honored with numerous awards and decorations for his valorous deeds during service, including the Silver Star, Purple Heart, Bronze Star (x2) and Vietnam Gallantry Cross. After 27 years of faithful service, SGM Ames retired from active duty on October 1, 1991.
Alice was born to Claude and Amy Johnson in 1942 in Amity. SGM Alice Ames last duty assignment was with USASOC in the medical field. Prior to enlisting, she attended St. Joseph’s School of Nursing and served as a nurse in Hot Springs for 10 years. She served honorably and faithfully in the US Army for 20 years retiring on May 1, 1995. Cecil and Alice’s nearly 40 years romance began while they were stationed at Fort Bragg.
They were married in March 1979, and their love for one another continued to grow from there. The Ames’ enduring legacy is the fact they were both the first to offer assistance and yet the last to ask for assistance themselves.
They are survived by one son, Lowell Daniel Tibbs and two grandchildren, Ryan and Holly Tibbs, of White Hall, AR.
Alice is survived by five brothers and sisters: Juanita Tackett of Glenwood, Richard Johnson of Delavan, IL, Shirley Hudgins of Glenwood, Marilyn Cook of Birmingham, AL, and Mike Johnson of Glenwood.
Cecil and Alice are also survived by their godson, Derrick Rodreguez of Key West, Florida.
A joint service was held October 3, at 10:00 AM at Fort Bragg in the JFK Memorial Chapel.
Arrangements were handled by Jernigan-Warren Funeral Home.
