Jacksonville Community Mourns Passing of Former EWC President Dr. Cecil Cone

Dr. Cecil Cone

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – Edward Waters College (EWC) mourns the passing of our former President, Cecil Wayne Cone, Ph.D. Dr. Cone served Edward Waters College as President from 1977 – 1988.

Dr. Cecil Wayne Cone completed his undergraduate work at Philander Smith College and earned a Master’s degree from Temple Bible Seminary. Dr. Cone earned his Ph.D. from Emory University.

Dr. Cone was a note author for “Identity Crises in Black Theology.” He was a distinguished Pastor in the African Methodist Episcopal Church. He served as Dean at Turner Theological Seminary, now known as the Interdenominational Theological Center and Jackson Theological Seminary.

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Among Dr. Cones accomplishment as President of Edward Waters College:

  • He earned the initial four-year accreditation of Edward Waters College by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC), in 1979 and subsequent reaffirmation five years later.
  • He established dual degree programs with the University of Miami and Emory Riddle University.
  • He completely remodeled the Centennial Building — the oldest building on campus.
  • He built the Morris-Cone Residential Complex. The building bears his name along with the name of AME Bishop Samuel Morris
  • Edward Waters College became an official member institution of the United Negro College Fund (UNCF) under his leadership.
  • The College’s first debate team was established. The EWC Concert Choir was also able to travel across the country and to the Bahamas.

Dr. Cone always spoke proudly about Edward Waters College and would often refer to EWC as the “Greatest College to be found anywhere on planet Earth.” Dr. Cone is survived by his wife Dr. Juanita Fletcher-Cone, an internal medical doctor, and three children.

Funeral services for Dr. Cecil Wayne Cone will be held Saturday, April 9th at the St. Philip African Methodist Episcopal Church in Atlanta, GA. Dr. Cone’s body will be transported to Jacksonville, Florida where he will be buried in the Evergreen Cemetery.

The family will be accepting friends during a viewing Monday, April 11th from 5:00 – 7:00 p.m. at the Alphonso West Mortuary, Inc., 4409 Soutel Dr., Jacksonville, Florida 32208.

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