Glenn Stancil and his first cousin Harold Lloyd were playmates. The day the wooden custom made turntable with three tiers was moved into the dining room of Uncle George's new house was memorable. It fascinated Harold and Glenn. When the adult were not around, they took turns riding on the table. Uncle George suddenly appeared with his walking cane. He took the cane and reached it around Harold's neck and pulled him off the table.

Glenn ran home and left Harold to take his wrath.

Glenn Stancil recalls when neighbor Thomas Cockrell died. Thomas was living with his daughter. His son-in-laws built his coffin beside the barn using lumber on hand. The coffin was lined inside and out with a black fabric. A black covered pillow was also made. The coffin was set out in the yard on sawhorses. Thomas' son-in-laws, prepared the body for burial. He was washed, shaved, dressed and placed in the coffin. Most people did not believe in being embalmed. Family and neighbors walked past the open coffin, paying their final respects. The funeral was preached at home. The burial was in the family cemetery behind the house. Thomas Cockrell was a member of the Junior Order and was one of the founders of the Center Ridge Sunday School. A small American Flag was placed beside his grave, honoring his membership.

When Glenn and Harold were 14 year olds, they saw a movie in Wilson titled, "Wings of the Navy," Harold fell in love with the Navy. Harold and Glenn lived for the weekends, when they'd go to Wilson and see two western movies for 15 cents. Glenn and Harold paid for gas and a movie, if someone with a car would drive them.

Tarzan movies were popular too. Glenn and Harold climbed on grapevines and swung in the woods playing Tarzan. G.I. taught Harold to swim in the old spring swimming hole. Glenn went with G.I., and Garland to the swimming hole and listened to them as they told him how to swim. Visits to the swimming hole were a daily event. The spring banks were cleaned and sacks were put on the bank edges. They also dammed up the stream to increase the size of the swimming hole.

One day after a heavy rain, rapids developed and moved swiftly down and through the swimming hole. G.I. was an excellent swimmer and enjoyed going high above the swimming hole, where the rapids were just starting and riding them down. Their speed increased as the boys riding down, raced towards the swimming hole. It was a wild and fun ride. The other boys, Garland, Ollie and Junior taunted and goated Glenn, who now was a pretty good swimmer, to take the wild ride down the rapids with G.I. Glenn was scared but took the challenge and wanted the thrill. Glenn was tossed about, began going under, bobbing up only to be pulled under again. He was using all his strength to try to push himself back up out of the water. His strength was gone and he was about to drown, when he saw G.I. who was getting out of the water. He grabbed G.I.'s bathing trunks for dear life. This maneuver saved his life. Glenn credits G.I. with saving his life that day.

Glenn and Harold had several girl friends. They started double dating at 14 years old. Glenn thought Erma Lee Stancil was the prettiest girl in School. At one time, when Glenn dated Erma Lee, Harold dated Marie, her sister. Glenn wanted to married Erma Lee. He was only 16 but thought he was old enough. Glenn and Erma Lee planned to be married in Dillon, South Carolina. They needed someone to take them. Glenn's uncle, one of his mother's brothers, volunteered. He drove his Chevy and older brother Vernard rode with them to Dillon, SC.

Erma Lee was the daughter of Wiley Alphus Stancil and Lola Woodard. Children included Joseph Thurman Stancil who married Cleo Boykin. Lola Woodard grew up in Glendale. Lola was a distant kin of Dr. Woodard. Her brother was Elijah Woodard. Wiley Alphus Stancil (28 Apr 1894-9 Aug 1961) was the son of Joseph Stancil and Nancy Creech. Alphus was kin to William and Godfrey Stancil, distant cousins of Glenn's great grandpa.

Glenn with Wayne, Cecil and Erma Lee Stancil Family photo