Cedric Deon Priestly was born on December 4, 1976, to Charles Priestly Sr. and Patrick McBride-Priestly in San Francisco, California. Cedric was a devoted father, son, and brother. As an infant, his grandmother Evie traveled to California and brought him home to Wiergate, Texas, where she lovingly raised him.

Cedric began his schooling at Burkeville ISD and later attended Lufkin Jr. High Weat and Lufkin High School for a short time before returning to Burkeville, where he graduated with the Class of 1995. As a young man, Cedric discovered a passion for driving and began working as a cross-country truck driver. Though he enjoyed the open road, his love for home eventually brought him back. Over the years, he held various positions in sales, manufacturing, and ridesharing, which continued until his health declined.

Family was always at the center of Cedric's life. He developed a deep interest in ancestry and genealogy, determined to trace every branch of his family tree. In his eyes, by the time he connected all the dots, everyone was family.

On September 15, 2025, after a brief but aggressive illness, Cedric entered eternal rest at the young age of 48.

He is preceded in death by his parents; grandparents Henry and Ora Priestly and Hardy and Evie McBride; bonus grandparents James and Priscilla Fowler; uncles Willie, Leander, and Howard Priestly, Curtis McBride, and James Fowler II; aunt Joyce Priestly; nephew Zachary Ball; and beloved cousins Chaquetha Tims-Reed and Brandon Lewis.

Cedric leaves a legacy of love and cherished memories to his two daughters, Mariah and Zarriah Priestly; his bonus father, Joseph Fowler Sr.; his three sisters, Charla Priestly, Menda Edwards, and Sheniqua Priestly; his brothers, Joseph Fowler Jr., Willie Ball, Tracy Priestly, and Charles Priestly Jr.; aunts and uncles Rachel Lewis, Josephine Dolford (Marion), Jean Galimore, Sheila Adams, Patrina Fowler, Charlotte Fowler, Estelle Priestly, Dorothy Luckey, Thelma Harris, Jerry McBride Sr. (Delouse), Prentice McBride (Tonya), and Gregory Fowler; a special cousin, Jonathan Lewis; and bonus aunts, Evelyn Tims-Cooper and Beverly King-Perkins. He is also survived by a host of nephews, nieces, cousins, and friends who will deeply miss him.