Cicero Hamilton Bruton Sr.'s Obituary
Cicero Hamilton Bruton Sr was born the youngest of 5 siblings in Allen, TX to Thomas Samuel Bruton and Sallie Bailey Bruton. His father was a traveling preacher and his mother a housewife. His mother passed from tuberculosis and complications of childbirth about a year and a half after Cicero was born. The family moved to Carthage, TX for about 10 years where his father passed and Cicero was raised by his only and older sister, Johnnie. He remembers a level of poverty when his oldest brother Alpha jumped on a freight train from California to bring the family $40 to pay bills and buy new shoes. Johnnie moved the family to Dallas where they had aunts and other relatives to help raise her 3 brothers Thomas, Forese, and Cicero.While Johnnie and Thomas moved west to California and Forese joined the military in WW2, Cicero stayed in Dallas where he attended public schools. Most notably, he was a stand-out athlete at Booker T. Washington High School – the only High School for “colored” students at the time until Lincoln opened its doors, creating one of the best long-standing cross-town rivalries in Dallas history. With running and quarterback combinations, they were known as The Four Horsemen. Cicero, #24, went on to play some college football at Prairie View College.Cicero met and later married his High School sweetheart, Naomi Gay, the daughter of Princella Hartman, a noted homeowner and activist in predominately white North Dallas near Dallas’s Freedman’s Town. Naomi was a Majorette at Booker T. Washington HS. They had 4 children; Laura Kathleen, twins Cecil and CeCelia, and later Cicero Jr.Though not big in statue, Cicero was BIG on Loyalty, Commitment and Work Ethic. He got up early every day throughout his work career, often working 2 and 3 jobs at a time to provide for his family. He was a Rail Road man working for Texas & Pacific until they ended operations in 1976. He then worked as a materials handler at Globe Battery for 10 years. He ended his work career with a 21 year run as a School Crossing Guard for the City of Dallas, where he received Citations each year for a job well done.Cicero and Naomi are original homeowners in Hamilton Park, the first neighborhood built for black families in Dallas, TX. And they were fortunate enough to earn/buy one of the experimental brick houses built on a corner lot in the heart of the Community.Cicero and Naomi are original members of Hamilton Park United Methodist Church where he served as an attentive Usher and they served in various capacities throughout their 60-year residence in the community and the City of Dallas. The Main Auditorium at The Black Academy of Arts and Letters is named in honor of Naomi Bruton, a gifted Actress, and Motivator. And Cicero Sr worked tirelessly at her side doing the odd jobs and heavy lifting it takes to glue projects together.Cicero Sr is preceded in death by his 2 sons, Cecil Anthony Bruton, a scholarship recipient to Southern Methodist University and Ciscoe II, a Broadway Dancer who performed with Bob Fosse, Tommy Tune, South Dallas Black Dance and Dance Theatre of Harlem.Cicero Sr is survived by his 2 daughters, Laura, a career Job Corps executive and HPUMC perennial, and CeCelia Antoinette an Actress, Author, Director who performs- like her Mother- on stage, tv, and film. They are both loyal and active members of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc. CeCelia is also a practicing Nichiren Shoshu Buddhist.Cicero Sr is also survived by a host of Paternal relatives Varee & Sammie Minafee; Alex, Albert, Alpha, Diane, Clayton, Stephanie Bruton and their families; Billie Mohair and Vivian and Louise ‘nem. He is survived Maternally by Clara Cole & Family Joyce, Janice, Gerald, Princella, Robert and their families; and by Patricia Banks & Family Patrick and their families; and by a host of relatives who are loved and too numerous to name here.Cicero Sr now joins his wife Naomi in that land of eternally tranquil light…The family will receive guest on Tuesday, August 14, 2018 from 6:00PM to 8:00PM at Restland Funeral Home. Service will be held on Wednesday, August 15, 2018 at 11:00AM at Hamilton Park United Methodist Church located at 11881 Schroeder Rd, Dallas, TX 75243.
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