Statement from Cecil Harrelson Jr.

In answer to a post by Jerry Lee Lewis III, stating Cecil Harrelson “pulled a fast one” and another stating “shady business”:  It is time for a statement reflecting the facts relative to the purchase of the property known as the Lewis Ranch, located at 1595 Malone Road in Nesbit, Mississippi,  and the life trust.

Jerry Lee Lewis approached Cecil Harrelson in early seventies about buying said property. CH advised against the purchase, advising it was too expensive. At that time, JLL owned a home in Memphis and 2 in Ferriday. Against the advice of CH he purchased the property with the assistance of JLL Enterprises, Attorney Carlton Barnes. The sale was completed and JLL requested his attorney place property in a life trust in name of CH to protect it. 

CH had no knowledge of this until he walked into JLL Enterprises office where he was approached by JLL and Carlton Barnes with the paperwork to be signed. JLL explained to CH that he wanted it done in a way that (his own words) “ the government or no f*****g whores” could ever take it from him. JLL told CH that he deserved the property and that this arrangement would make the property safe. CH had been his lifelong friend as well as a loyal and trusted employee for many years. In this same conversation, JLL stated that he wished to leave the house on Coro Lake to Ken Lovelace, which never happened. Further he stated that he wished to leave the Ferriday properties to his sisters.

CH did not in any way orchestrate placing the property in the life trust.  He merely signed the prepared document as requested. In later years, CH was comforted to know that the life trust had protected JLL.  Had it not been for the life trust, the IRS would have seized it after CH quit working for JLL when JLL Enterprises went down the tubes due to poor management.  No matter who sued JLL, the property was protected.  

 CH continued to protect JLL and the property, when a girlfriend forged a quit claim document with CH’s name. CH showed great compassion and restraint (which would not surprise anyone who knew him). Rather than pressing criminal charges that would have had serious implications for JLL, CH surrendered one third of the estate to a law firm to reverse the action in civil proceedings rather than prosecuting those involved. This  means that one third of the property belongs to the heirs of the lawyers, Barnes, Jones, & Warren.  This information has been known throughout the JLL inner circle for many years and did not come as a surprise to ANYONE involved.  

CH was never paid extra for several multi-million-dollar contracts he negotiated for JLL.  Most of the time that he worked for JLL, he paid himself the same as the band members. CH protected his friend’s privacy as well. He didn’t share the sordid details of JLL’s  personal life, or stories involving the Lewis family and friends. He could have written a tell-all book, that would have had consequences for JLL and those close to him.  When he was  approached to write a book, sell stories, give interviews for other books being published, he refused to do so.  (He did give interviews when asked by JLL.) He never allowed greed or a moment’s notoriety to compromise his integrity. When he did speak of his friend, it was always with respect.  

After CH was crippled in an automobile accident in 1982, he lived on less than $1000 a month from social security.   At JLL’s request, as a favor, CH returned to work for a short period of time. He and JLL were friends until the very end. Nothing came between them and even when they disagreed, they remained loyal to each other.  CH had never betrayed JLL. Even when CH’s health was failing, JLL wanted CH to return to his employ as soon as he was able.  Cecil Harrelson, Sr. was an honorable and honest man as anyone associated with Jerry Lee Lewis (without an agenda) will attest. 

Those of you who are accusing CH of acting with malicious intent or being self-serving, are ignorant of the facts or you are not being truthful.  These false libel claims disparaging a dead man are shameful. CH’s character was beyond reproach. The truth about your character will come to light.  It only remains for the world to see all of you for who you truly are.  This will be a result of your own actions.  

The descendants and heirs of Cecil Harrelson, Sr., will not disparage JLL’s legacy, his widow, or his children, will not malign JLL’s memory, and will not be ill-mannered or spiteful; however, baseless and false claims about our father will not go unanswered. 

This is an unvarnished and truthful account which can be verified by persons who knew both parties and by court records and other documents.