Cecil and Frances
Cecil Sandifer came to Connie Maxwell Children’s Home in 1934 when he was around age 9. His mother had died of pneumonia and his father abandoned him and his two brothers. While at Connie Maxwell, he met his wife, Frances Ballard. Together they raised 7 children and managed a successful funeral home business in Westminster.
Cecil went on to serve as Westminster’s mayor for 10 years, and as a S.C. House of Representative for 12 years. He was one of the founding members of the Westminster Apple Festival, which was started in 1961.
In 2001, he and Frances started a college scholarship fund at Connie Maxwell, and eight years later, they helped pay for a renovation of the campus dining hall, where a painted portrait of them still hangs today.
Below Cecil shares some of his thoughts on Connie Maxwell, as well as one of the greatest lessons he ever learned.
Early Memories of Connie Maxwell
Connie Maxwell played an intricate part in my being where I am today and all the accomplishments I have made. Why would I feel that way? There are so many areas to reflect upon. For example, the spiritual atmosphere of Connie Maxwell played a big role in my life.
We also learned to respect our seniors and people in charge, from the superintendent right on down. We looked up to them and they were very caring people. Back in those days, people wore a tie and coat, and that impressed me and the other children there.
One of the greatest blessings I received at Connie Maxwell were the cottage mothers. Many people referred to them as “Matrons,” but as far as I was concerned they were truly cottage mothers. When you think back that a cottage mother had 20 children under her care, children of all ages and personalities. It was phenomenal how successful they were. They were responsible for the food, the training of the children, and resolving problems within the family of 20.
Daily devotions were a part of life. Some days we would have sentence prayers and would have to have a verse ready before we met for the devotion. Sometimes, I would try and get by with John, chapter 11, verse 35 “Jesus wept,” but it didn’t always work.
The Greatest of All Lessons
I had a problem adjusting in the beginning. I was arrogant. I was about 9 years old and came from a broken home. My mother died from pneumonia and my father just went astray. Me and my brothers were finally put on the street to an aunt, who worked at a department store. She started working with Connie Maxwell to try and get us in, and at first, it wasn’t a good experience.
I was bitter and mischievous. In fact, Dr. Jamison had threatened to send me away because I was not very cooperative.
I never will forget the day Dr. Smith drove up to the house. Whenever you would see Dr. Smith and Dr. Jamison drive up, you would always think what have I done now? I had had my share of chopping wood on Saturdays and punishments of that sort, so I asked, “What did I do?” “Nothing, we just need to have a little talk,” Dr. Smith said. “Your father’s dying.”
I told Dr. Smith I didn’t want to see him. He just abandoned me. He shoved me out in the world while he did his own thing. He turned out to be an alcoholic too, which was no surprise.
Dr. Smith insisted that I go see my father, and said I would feel better, so I finally agreed.
When we arrived at the hospital, I can remember just like yesterday, the nurses said, “Oh, he’s been calling for you.”
I asked Dr. Smith to let me go see him alone. I was ready to tell my father a few things. I was still so angry and arrogant.
As soon as I walked into the room, he broke down crying and said, “My son, my son, will you please forgive me? I know I didn’t do right with you.” I looked at my father, and he had tears running down his face. I stood there a minute and said, “Yes, I forgive you.” I put my arms around him.
It was all over as far as I was concerned. I held no more malice. That was a change in my life, right then and there. I learned one of the greatest lessons of all lessons that I had ever learned—that you cannot carry malice. You will only hurt yourself. I wasted all those years carrying that anger, which was stupid.
I came back to Connie Maxwell and was a changed person altogether.
I owe everything, all my accomplishments in the world affairs to Connie Maxwell. Of course, I really owe the Lord everything—whatever successes I might have had in life.
