Police Officer Cecil E. Enlow

What I Remember about my Stepfather,
Cecil E. Enlow (1943-1984)
 by Mrs. Alma E. Dailey-Harings
(aka Libby)
October 7, 2009
 
My stepfather Cecil Edward Enlow  was the son of Merle &  Noah Enlow of Union, South Carolina.  Cecil had a brother, Perry Enlow whom I believe was his only other sibling.   Cecil and my mother Peggy met around 1964-65 and remained faithful to one another for nearly 20 years thereafter.
 
At the time of his death, Cecil was working as a Police Officer with the Wake Forest Police Department in North Carolina.  Cecil's partner explained that they responded to a domestic dispute and when Cecil knocked on the door announcing POLICE, the male perpetrator opened the door and laid a loaded  shotgun between Cecil's eyes.
 
It was said that Cecil remained in control, calming the outraged man and eventually gained peaceful possession of the weapon and jailed the perpetrator before he began to experience chest pains.  The attendant in the ambulance said that Cecil knew he was not going to make it to the hospital in time.  His last words were 'Oh My God Please Help Me!'.  I find this so sad as Cecil was an lifelong avowed atheist.
 
 
A Little About Our Family
 
Cecil's son Edward came to live with us when he was quite young....still in elementary school.   Peggy raised Edward as if he were her own child.  Edward remained with Peggy after his fathers death until he himself eventually joined the Marine Corp.  As of this writing, Edward has dedicated his life to his Lord & Savior Jesus, has built a thriving plumbing business and has married and is raising a family.  In my opinion, Edward has matured into a loving and respectable young man whom I am quite proud of. May the rest of his days be blessed.   
 
In early 1984, Edward and mom (Peggy) shared a home together with Cecil in Wendell, NC.  I had my own apartment in Raleigh at that time and was working at Swains Steak House across from Wake Memorial Hospital where my mom had worked for many years.   My family had no idea that when Cecil left for work on the night of February 26th that it would be the last time they would see him alive. 

I was home when mom knocked on the door to tell me of Cecil’s sudden death.   I recall Edward being in a state of shock and disbelief that his dad was gone…..he did not speak for days. My most vivid memory of the moment I joined my family in the car was looking up at the North Carolina winter night sky suddenly finding myself captivated. The backdrop was solid black without a cloud in the sky. The trillions of brightly twinkling stars covered the night sky and the beauty of it all blanketed my body and spirit with peace. I knew somehow that Cecil was finally at peace.  
 
About Cecil's Tragic Early Years
 
Cecil's childhood was basically non-existent.  He was neglected, tormented and abused by his mother, and ignored by his father.  Cecil's young life was so unbearable that he ran away from home when he was only 8 years old. 
 
 
My Personal Feelings and Opinions
 
Even so, Cecil led an extraordinarily interesting life.  Even though he never finished school,  to my knowledge, he could engage as a master in a spoken exchange of thoughts, ideas, or feelings with just about anyone.  Cecil was the type of person who could be down to one penny but project himself as someone of means.   He was a jack of all trades and a master of many games he learned growing up on his own.
 
 He had been a pilot, a police officer, a gas station attendant,  an antiques dealer, a county sheriff, a hobo, an auctioneer,  a flat store agent, and an auto dealer just to name a few. He had that something special about him...............sharp wits and imagination.  It was so unfortunate that Cecil never really had a chance to achieve his full potential.
 
  As as young boy, he was denied the nurturing safe environment that most of us take for granted.   By the time Cecil was in his late 20's, I believe in my heart that he already had the soul of a weary and tormented old man. 
 
  But he never gave up.  He kept going. I know from personal experience that my stepfather could be a mean son of a bitch at times.  But, on the other hand, he could shock you with the love and pride he held for his family, coworkers and friends.  Many years after Cecil's death, I finally came to terms with all of the bickering and insanity we shared together on occasion.  I finally realized that I too could be a mean son of a bitch at times.  Now having said that, I have peace in the knowledge that all if forgiven between he and I.
 
 I believe in my heart that Peggy was the only person in his life that he ever felt safe with or felt truly loved by.  My mother Peggy Joyce Sanders-Enlow passed away in Winslow, AZ on 19 May 2012 from pancreatic cancer. I sometimes dream that they are together again in spirit. It is a comforting thought for me.
 
Times for Cecil and Peggy were hard more often than not.  But I know that they cared for one another deeply.  They trusted each other unconditionally.  They fought with the fury of the devil sometimes, but, I know in my heart...............they were soul mates for those who believe in that sort of thing.  May God have mercy on both their souls and may they both rest in peace.
 
27 June 2016
Cecil's Stepdaughter, Libby
 
 
Mrs. Alma E. Dailey-Harings

"Libby" Mrs. Alma E. Harings
Stepdaughter

June 27, 2016