The celebration of her life begins as she enters the gates of Heaven. Cecelia Ann Whitman Tidwell, 74, of Auburn, was born February 1, 1937 and went to be with her Lord on Thursday, March 10, 2011 after a lengthy illness and battle with melanoma cancer. Cecelia joined the church as a teenager at Notasulga Methodist Church. She grew up in Notasulga and as an adult, married her childhood sweetheart, James (Shine) Tidwell, on July 30, 1955. They relocated to Auburn in 1962, where she later became a member of the Auburn United Methodist Church and was a member for over 40 years. She was a prayer warrior for young people in the church, as well as a member of the prayer chain and call-in Methodist for the seniors and other people living alone. She loved the church and her church family. Since her graduation in 1955, Cecelia gathered her classmates, who were more like family, every five years or so for a reunion, keeping them close and informed about each other for over 50 years. She worked for Ampex for six and a half years, then Twin City Concrete for another six and a half years. She then ran the office for her and her husband's repair service for over 45 years. C Cecelia is survived by her children, Wanda T. Ptomey (Steve), Kenny Tidwell (Debbie), and Sheila Tidwell; her grandchildren, Lauren Tidwell, Trent Tidwell, Chad Tidwell, and Keely Ptomey; all of Auburn. She is also survived by her siblings, Dianne Cooper of Opelika, Sammy Whitman of Notasulga, Ronny Whitman of Ridge Grove, and Becky Whitman of Notasulga. Cecelia is survived by several nieces and nephews, as well as several special people in her life, including Sandy B. Sims, LeRae W. Rainer, Steve Carter, and Patricia Reese. She was predeceased by her husband, James A. Tidwell; her parents, Ida Mae M. and Jarrell Whitman; her brother, Thomas Ferrell Whitman; her sister, Brenda Joy Whitman Aldridge; and her granddaughter, Maegan Annissa Ptomey. Flowers are welcome or memorial contributions may be made to Auburn United Methodist Church, 137 South Gay Street, Auburn, Alabama, 36830, Attn: Maegan Ptomey Fund. The visitation will be Saturday, March 12, 2011 from 4:00 until 6:00 pm at Fredericks Funeral Home.