Edward "Eddie" Warren Hill, Jan. 12, 2010

June 1, 1966-Jan. 12, 2010

Contributed

Edward "Eddie" Warren Hill Jr., son of Ed Sr. and Jean; husband of Diane; father of Stephen; died at 43 on Jan. 12, 2010. Eddie was the first paramedic and chief of the Rescue Squad in Edgecombe County, his dream job. Eddie had his first heart attack at 32 years old and second at 34. His medical condition forced him to resign. Because of diabetes, he developed kidney disease and suffered from pancreatitis. When he needed a new kidney, his mother Jean donated one of hers. He also had a pancreas transplant and he did not have to take insulin for eight years. Diabetes affected his vision after eight years. (Jack)

George "Mac" MacArthur Pittman, Feb. 20, 2010

Aug. 12, 1942-Feb. 20, 2010

Contributed

George McArthur "Mac" Pittman, Harvey Branch, husband of Debbie Moore Pittman; father of George “Artie” Pittman Jr. and wife Sandy; Christopher Robert Pittman and wife Jodie; and brother of Irene Pittman Wallace and husband Ed; Anne Pittman Viverette and husband James; brother Billy Royce Pittman and wife Jackie; died at 67 on Feb. 20, 2010, in Corapeake, Virginia. He was born Aug. 12, 1942, in Johnston County, North Carolina. He is the son of the late Fletcher and Gertrude Stancil Pittman; brother of the late Arnold Webster Pittman; Gertie Mae Pittman Buchanan; Ruth Elder Pittman Langston; Jennifer Kaye Pittman Collins; Harvey Alton Pittman and Thomas Rex Pittman. He is the grandfather of Amanda Wiggins, Parker Paige Pittman, George McArthur “A.J.” Pittman III and Ramsie Jewel Pittman. George spent 42 years working for Newport News Shipbuilding. He was an excellent employee and retired as Master Shipbuilder and General Foreman of crane rigging and tool room. Mac and Debbie attended the 2009 Stancil Reunion. Mac is buried in the Eureka Baptist Church Cemetery.

Donna Lynn Parrish McKelvey, May 6, 2010

March 19, 1940-May 6, 2010

Donna McKelvey Contributed

Donna Lynn Parrish McKelvey, Tempy Ann Branch, wife of Bill McKelvey; daughter of Donald and Josephine Hill Parrish; and sister of Melody Parrish Baird and Cheryl Parrish Ricks both of Princeton and Becky Parrish; died at 70 on May 6, 2010, after battling cancer for several years. She is buried in the New Jerusalem Church Cemetery, Johnston County, N.C. (Tonie)

Beatrice "Bea" Larue Hill Renfrow, June 29, 2010

May 30, 1925-June 29, 2010

'Bea' Renfrow at the 2005 Stancil Reunion. Contributed

Beatrice "Bea" LaRue Hill Renfrow, Tempy Ann Branch, mother of Jean Laurie Matney and her fiancé Tony Flores; Joan Loraine Hilton and husband Cecil; and Patricia 'Pat' Ann Willis and husband Michael; and sister of Mavis Cassandra Hill Godwin, Hazel Hill Wright, Virginia Eloise Hill Sidelinger and husband Wayne; died at 85 on June 29, 2010, in Norfolk, Virginia. Bea was born May 30, 1925. She is the daughter of the late Millard and Zilphia Hill; the widow of William Joseph “Joe” Renfrow; and sister of the late Vernon "Jim" Fletcher Hill. She is the grandmother of Laurie Willis Ritter, husband Christopher; William Stephen Matney, wife Cindy; William David Matney, wife Gina; Troy Willis, Ryan Willis and Rodney Harkey. She is the great-grandmother of Sarah; Ella Grace, and Austin David. Bea attended the 2009 Stancil Reunion with sisters Mavis and Eloise, daughter Joan, Cecil, nephew Gene, cousins Nancy Zartarian, J.P. Hales III and wife Lynn. She is buried in Woodlawn Memorial Gardens, Norfolk, Virginia.

➝ Visit Bea LaRue Hill Renfrow's Main Page

Walter Matthew Six, Sept. 11, 2010

June 26, 1958-Sept. 11, 2010

Contributed

Walter Matthew Six, George Ira Branch, brother of Derek Six, died at 52 on Sept. 11, 2010, at his home in Lucama, North Carolina. Matt was born on June 26, 1958, in Lexington, N.C. He is the son of the late Walter Ellsworth and Gilda Gray Renfrow Six; and brother of the late Walter Mark Six.He worked for the state of North Carolina painting bridges. Then he worked 15 years at Eastern Elevator Company, Wilson, N.C. Matt inspected elevators for a few years and was hired to troubleshoot elevator mechanical problems for a time. Matt was handy around the house. He knew how to fix electrical and plumbing problems and was a skilled carpenter. He is buried in the Springhill Church Cemetery, Lucama, N.C., beside his older brother Mark.

➝ Visit Matt Six's Main Page

Gerald "Jerry" Wayne Hill, Sept. 16, 2010

Nov. 4, 1936-Sept. 16, 2010

Contributed

Gerald "Jerry" Wayne Hill, husband of Brenda Wiggins Eason Hill, George Branch, died following a brief illness, at 12:30 p.m. on Thursday, Sept. 16, 2010, Brenda’s birthday.

Jerry was born on Nov. 4, 1936, to Robert V. and Bernice B. Hill in Brady Lake near Kent, Ohio. Jerry was hospitalized Sunday, Aug. 29 , 2010, with pneumonia (he had a history of COPD and Emphysema and this was his third hospitalization for pneumonia).

At first he was improving but then took a turn for the worse. Doctors determined that Jerry's condition was terminal. He wanted to spend his last days at home with Brenda. Jerry came home on Wednesday, Sept. 15. He also wanted to be cremated and his ashes buried with Brenda.

A Memorial Service for Jerry was on Sunday, Sept. 26, 2010, at Windborne United Methodist Church, 9121 Six Forks Road, in Raleigh, N.C. This was Brenda and Jerry's church home until they moved to Hampton, Va., in May 2010.

Jerry is survived by his beloved wife Brenda, her son Lee Eason, her daughter Renee Eason Warren and husband David, Jerry's daughter Jennifer Jane Hill Demmin and husband Dave, Jerry's son Kevin Christopher Hill, her grandchildren Bianca and Meredith Eason, Lauren Weber, Jerry's grandchildren Mary Elizabeth and Sarah Grace Demmin, her sister-laws Jean Eason LaVie and husband Al, Jo Ann Eason Alexander and husband Doug, her brother-in-law Frank, Grover Jr., her nieces Sharon LaVie Nelson and husband Andrew, Kim LaVie Roberts and husband Carl, Karen LaVie Luciano and husband Alex, Christy Eason Green and husband Mike; nephews Al LaVie, Jr., Michael Miller and wife Brooke, Ben Eason, Jesrah Eason, James Eason, Josh Alexander plus many great nieces, great nephews and cousins.

Jerry was preceded in death by a brother Bob and sister Sylvia.

Brenda, had been a widow since the death of Lelon Woodrow Eason, son Grover and Myrtle Stancil Eason, in 1999. Brenda met Jerry when they both attended a 3-day Greensboro, North Carolina, convention.

Jerry, divorced over 10 years, lived in Lynchburg, Va. Jerry’s welcoming smile, natural and genuine charm made a lasting impression on Brenda. Before the convention ended, they found they shared an interest in network marketing, attending conventions and traveling. They exchanged business cards.

Once at home, they began e-mailing and eventually calling. Jerry made a date with Brenda in Raleigh at Ruth's Chris Steak House. When he picked her up, he was wearing a suit, carrying a dozen long stemmed red roses and Brenda was stylishly dressed. They were a distinguished looking couple.

Jerry treated her royally and made a very favorable impression. The attraction was mutual and they became a twosome.

Jerry retired from the furniture business and moved to the Raleigh area. Their love grew and they were married on March 12, 2005, in the Clubhouse at Pools Grant in Hampton, Va., where her daughter Renee lives, with the blessings of Brenda’s family; son Lee, and daughters Bianca and Merry, daughter Renee, husband David, and daughter Lauren, sister-in-laws Jean Eason LaVie and husband Al, JoAnn Eason Alexander and husband Doug. Jerry embraced Brenda’s family as his own. Jerry loved his extended family, their special closeness and was welcomed as a family member.

He and Brenda journeyed to Bishopville, Maryland to celebrate Jean and Al’s Golden Wedding Anniversary in January 2007. They attended Stancil Reunions and Jerry felt very much at home as he greeted so many relatives.

In June, Jerry and Brenda invited JoAnn and Doug to share a long week end with them at their Atlantic Beach, North Carolina timeshare. Jerry and Brenda also loved the beauty and peacefulness of the North Carolina Mountains.

Jerry has an interesting background. He grew up in Kent, Ohio. Jerry served 8 years in the Naval Reserves. He was also a 32nd Degree Mason. Jerry earned an engineering degree from Kent State University.

Jerry pursued a career in furniture design, taking many seminars and classes in design. He was a designer and catalogue manager at the Chervan furniture factory from 1957 to retirement in 1995. Chervan was founded in 1929 and moved to Bedford, Virginia in 1949. At one time he was a partner.

Jerry's creativity and friendly personality was a great asset. Often when Jerry and Brenda visited hotels, Jerry spotted furniture he had designed. Jerry was a FOX news television fan and enjoyed reading with his Kindle.

 They shared a love of similar music, especially Easy Listening, New Country and contemporary Christian music. Brenda sang with the Praise Team at Windborne United Methodist Church. Jerry was her biggest fan. This talented group decided to start their own band, "The Remnants."

Brenda knew she could count on Jerry's support. Jerry pampered Brenda. He was a wonderful chef and insisted on cutting up fresh fruit daily for breakfast, sending Brenda off to work at the bank with a delicious lunch and had dinner ready when she arrived home.

Brenda was instrumental in Jerry reuniting with his daughter, Jennifer. Jerry and Jennifer spent the last few weeks becoming once again a loving father and daughter. Although Jerry was critically ill, on Sept. 14, he asked Jennifer, to purchase for him a particular necklace for Brenda's birthday. The morning of Brenda's birthday, Jennifer brought over the gift.

Jennifer announced, "Daddy, I have your birthday present for Brenda." Brenda opened the beautiful necklace of hearts. Jerry had asked Jennifer to tell Brenda, "This is your birthday gift."

Jerry passed away within a few hours. Reflecting on her short time with Jerry, Brenda knows they shared a blessed union and treasures their days spent together. They were filled with laughter, love and happiness.

Brenda thanks God for bringing this unique, sweet, kind, loving and unselfish man into her life.

George Garland Stancil, Oct. 24, 2010

June 6, 1918-Oct. 24, 2010

Contributed

George Garland Stancil, grandson of John Thomas Stancil, husband of Doris; father of Katie Yvonne Stancil Dale and husband Don; George Wallace Stancil and wife Pam; died at 92 on Oct. 24, 2010, in Durham, North Carolina. Garland was born June 6, 1918, at home in Johnston County, North Carolina. He is the son of the late Harvey and Bertha Florence Smith Stancil; brother of the late Gertrude, Mavis, Vessie, Patsy, Eula, Clyde and Carl. He is the grandfather of Bryan Douglas Stancil, Emily Katherine Dale, Adam Garland Dale, Laura Dale Martin and Robin Dale. He is buried in Antioch Baptist Church Cemetery in Middlesex, North Carolina.

➝ Visit Garland Stancil's Main Page

Gurnie Patricia Stancil Crabtree, Oct. 26, 2010

Oct. 27, 1913-Oct. 26, 2010

Contributed

Gurnie Patricia Stancil Crabtree, granddaughter of Henry Stancil, mother of "Charlie" Charles Myron Crabtree, wife Cindi; Jane Crabtree O'Brien; and Guy Wayne Crabtree; and sister of Ruby Stancil Creech and husband Grover, James "Jim" Orville Stancil; and Jack Rowland Stancil and wife Lynda; died at 96 on Oct. 26, 2010. This was one day before her 97th birthday. Gurnie was born Oct. 27, 1913. She is the daughter of the late James Oscar and Allie Edwards Stancil; widow of Charles Myron "Jack" Crabtree; grandmother of the late Patrick Todd Crabtree and John Shayne Crabtree; and sister of the late Gladis Stancil, George Guy Stancil, Ruth Stancil Janiuk and Henry Rudolph Stancil. She is the grandmother of Catherine "Windi" Melinda Crabtree Quinby, husband Kyle; Stephanie O'Brien and partner Jennifer Gatti; Ashley Elizabeth Crabtree and Andrew Edward Crabtree and great-grandmother to Kayla Lane Pounds and Christopher Charles Quinby.

Gurnie shared so many wonderful memories. Gurnie was a link from our past to our future. She knew great-grandpa John 'Tom' Thomas Stancil and held Scarlet Olivia Huggins, at the 2010 Reunion. Scarlet is the daughter of Sandra and Dale Huggins, granddaughter of Alice and Ronnie Huggins, great-granddaughter of Thomas ‘Junior’ Emmette Stancil Jr., who was also a great-grandson of John 'Tom' Thomas Stancil.

➝ Visit Gurnie Stancil Crabtree's Main Page

Nona Bell Creech Godwin Matthews, Oct. 30, 2010

Dec. 27, 1923-Oct. 30, 2010

Nona Creech Godwin Pope Matthews of the Henry Branch in 1942. Nona died on Oct. 30, 2010.

Nona Bell Creech Godwin Matthews, Henry Branch, mother of Jimmy, Linda and Sandy, widow of James Cleon Godwin, daughter-in-law of James Marvin and Bessie Lee Stancil Godwin, died Saturday, Oct. 30, 2010.

Nona suffered a stroke earlier in the year and was residing at Carillon Assisted Living, 1911 Orange Grove Road in Hillsborough, NC, close to daughters Linda and Sandy. A week before her death she enjoyed dinner and attended a quilt show.

She fell and they were concerned about her heart. Nona was sent to Chapel Hill Medical Center. A stent was successfully inserted and there was a feeling of optimism, but Nona died early on Saturday morning. Nona's funeral will be at 11 a.m. on Tuesday, Nov. 2, 2010, at Joyners Funeral Home, 4100 Raleigh Road Pkwy West in Wilson, NC. A visitation will immediately follow the service.

Only the immediate family will attend her interment.

Nona was born on Dec. 27, 1923, near Selma, North Carolina, to John Luther and Elizabeth Sullivan Creech. She was the fifth of 12 children, nine of them were brothers. Nona liked housework and cooking and with so many brothers, she didn't have to do farm work.

Nona is survived by son James "Jim" Cleon Godwin Jr. and wife Annette. Daughters: Linda Joyce Godwin and Sandra Kaye Godwin Humble, husband Randal. Grandchildren: Julia Elizabeth Godwin Vaughan, and husband Brian, James Alexander Godwin, Paul Aaron Taylor. Great-grandchildren: Rachel Vaughan and Michael Vaughan. Brothers: John Raymond Creech, wife Neida; L.T. Creech, wife Dean; Billy Ray Creech, wife Linda; Donald Creech, wife Janis; and Harrell Belvin Creech and wife Carolyn. Sisters-in-law: Dolly Jacqueline Vella Godwin, widow of Elmer Leon Godwin; Esther Marie Godwin Narron; and Shirley Fields Creech, widow of George Wilbert Creech. Brother-in-law: Billie Horace Godwin and wife Rose.

Nieces: Nancy Jean Cayton Baldree and husband Lee; Melba Jane Cayton and husband Roger; Peggy Joyce Cayton Carnahan and husband Wes; and Cynthia Marie Narron Philemon and husband Buddy. Nephews: Michael Allen Godwin and wife Nila; 'Butch' Billy Lancaster Godwin and wife Cheryl; Charles Steven Godwin, Marvin 'Tony' Anthony Godwin and Delbridge Eric Narron. Great-nieces: Alyson Jeanette Baldree, Wini Hope Baldree Boswell, husband Spencer, and children Emma Kathryn, William Lee and Olivia Barnes, Laura Lee Baldree Garrett, husband Russell, and children Anna Pierce and Jonathan Bradley, Emily Jane Baldree Collins, husband John and daughter Kenan Jace; Emily Ryan Godwin; Ashley Rhea Godwin Spencer and husband John. Great-nephews David Allen Bynum, wife Teresa and children Adam Taylore, Avis Virginia and Desiree Lark; Adam Cayton Bynum, wife Jamie and son Jacob Roger; and Avery Wilson Philemon. First Cousins: Ethel Hales Stancil, widow of Ralph Stancil, and Chloe Creech Sullivan, wife of J.C.

Nona was preceded in death by her husbands James Cleon Godwin Sr., Grover Elmer Pope and Royce Ray Matthews; sisters: Viola Creech Harvell and Ila Mae Creech Johnson; brothers: James Creech, Joseph Creech, Edward Creech and George Wilbert Creech; nephews: John Luther Creech; Sisters-in-law: Emma Lee Godwin Cayton and Jessie Mae Lancaster Godwin. Brothers-in-law: Elmer Leon Godwin and Earney Whitehurst Cayton.

By the time Nona started school she had 2 older sisters, 2 older brothers and 3 younger brothers. New babies were expected. Nona shared this story. On the day she was told there was a new baby, she walked to the bedroom door and asked her mother, "Boy or girl?" Her mother replied, "Boy." Nona whirled around, stomped out without so much as a glance in the baby’s direction! She was ready for a sister.

Once Nona and cousin Chloe were racing down the path towards Nona’s house, ahead was a persimmon tree full of partly ripe persimmons. Nona yelled, "Those are so good," as she ran by. Suddenly Chloe stopped, grabbed one and took a bite and it turned her mouth inside out as she spit it out! Soon Nona and Chloe were both laughing about the persimmons. Nona was the first one in her family to graduate from high school in Selma. This was a proud moment for her parents.

Nona Creech Matthews and Ethel Hales Stancil in 2008. Nona died on Oct. 30, 2010.

Nona was a first cousin of Ethel Hales Stancil, who married Ralph Stancil (George Branch). Nona rode the train from North Carolina and to Florida and stayed with Ethel when daughter Georgeanne was born in 1942. Ralph was traveling and working away from home. Nona drove Ethel to the hospital and brought them both back home. She stayed for several months. Ralph was so impressed with Nona that he wrote about her to his brother Harold Lloyd Stancil in the Navy. Nona met James Cleon Godwin when he was home on leave from Army Air Corp. The Creech family were neighbors. Nona and her sisters Viola and Ila Mae met Cleon. Nona had a date, so Cleon took Ila Mae out. The next time Cleon came, Nona was on her way to a party. Cleon showed up at the party. The next night when Cleon came, he asked for Nona. After this, neither went out with others. Cleon and Nona decided to get married.

Nona rode the bus from Selma to Wilson to buy an appropriate dress at the Mother and Daughter Store. She selected a light blue dress. On Tuesday, Aug. 10, 1943, Cleon and Nona rode with Nona’s cousin Dorothy Sullivan and her boyfriend to Bennettsville, South Carolina. This was a 138 mile trip.

Both couples got married. Nona and Cleon returned to Camp Davis, NC, on the bus since Cleon did not have a car. The other couple went to the mountains for a honeymoon. When Cleon was transferred to Michigan, Nona, who was pregnant, went to stay with her in-laws, Bessie and Marvin Godwin.

Cleon’s parents, Marvin and Bessie Stancil Godwin, had moved to Black Creek, close to Wilson. Elmer, recently home from the Army, also lived there with his French wife Dolly. Nona and Cleon's son, James 'Jimmy' Cleon Godwin Jr., was delivered by Dr. Bell on Nov. 5, 1944.

Dolly recalls how kind Nona was to her as she struggled to learn English. A French-English dictionary was kept nearby for all of them to use.

In early December of 1944, Nona and Jimmy traveled by train to join Cleon in Michigan. Nona had a Pullman car.

Cleon, Nona and Jimmy stayed with friends until they could get their own apartment. Cleon's Air Corp job was towing targets for airplanes state side. Cleon was discharged as a staff sergeant in October of 1945. Cleon returned to Wilson County and rented a farm for a year. Then Cleon gave up farming and moved the family into the G.I. Barracks in Wilson.

Many married couples, including Cleon's brother Elmer and wife Dolly, lived there for $25 per month.

Cleon went to work for P.L. Woodard and Company, a large hardware store.

Nona's daughter Linda was born March 8, 1947, and Dolly’s son Michael was born Aug. 19, 1947. Sandra Kay was born Aug. 13, 1951.

Nona worked part time in a Wilson jewelry store when the children were all in school. The family moved to a house at 503 West Kenan Street in Wilson. Cleon died of a heart attack on July 6, 1960, while at work. This was a shock to the entire family. He was only 42. His brother Billy was the informant for his death certificate.

Cleon was buried in Maplewood Cemetery in Wilson, NC. Nona now was the bread winner. She took business classes at Atlantic Christian College in Wilson during the day when her children were in school.

Two years later, she went to work for an insurance company. Nona did not enjoy this work and began working for the State of North Carolina selling automobile tags. Finally Nona decided to return to insurance. Nona took many classes and attended many insurance schools over the years to improve her insurance knowledge. She became a very successful licensed insurance agent. The agency Smith and Smith sold all types of insurance: Auto, Health, Home, and Life.

At the time of her retirement, in 1996 at age 73, she was the office manager and head secretary. Nona married Grover Elmer Pope on April 20, 1975. Elmer died on Aug. 10, 1998.

Nona married Royce Ray Matthews on Aug. 22, 2001. He died Aug. 8, 2007.

Nona and Dolly attended the same church, First Free Will Baptist Church of Wilson. They were best friends and more like sisters.

After Nona's third husband Royce died, Nona and Dolly frequently had Sunday Dinner together after church and spoke on the phone several times a day.

Nona had a kind and loving disposition. She was thoughtful, soft spoken and reached out to help others.

Nona's life reflected 1 Corinthians 13:4 "Love suffers long and is kind; love does not envy; love does not parade itself, is not puffed up; 5 does not behave rudely, does not seek its own, is not provoked, thinks no evil; 6 does not rejoice in iniquity, but rejoices in the truth; 7 bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things."

Mary Alice Rivenbark Stancil Ayers, Nov. 12, 2010

Feb. 26, 1930-Nov. 12, 2010

Mary Alice Rivenbark Stancil Ayers. Contributed

Mary Alice Rivenbark Stancil Ayers, George Branch, mother of "Tommy" Thomas Emmette Stancil III and Alice Marie Stancil Huggins, died peacefully at home surrounded by family at 6:40 am, Friday, Nov. 12, 2010.

Her funeral was on Sunday, Nov. 14, 2010, at Farmer Funeral Service-Ayden. She was buried at the Riverview Memorial Park near Wallace, NC, on Monday, Nov. 14, 2010.

The family asks that donations be made to the Ayden Christian Church Building Fund, P.O. Box 488, Ayden, NC 28513 or Winterville Fire and Rescue, 2571 Railroad Street, Winterville, NC 28590

Mary Alice is survived by her son "Tommy" Thomas Emmette Stancil III and wife Marty, daughter Alice Marie Stancil Huggins and husband Ronnie; sister Marilyn Rivenbark Medina; brother James Edward Rivenbark; granddaughters, Sarah Elizabeth Stancil Gunst and husband Ross, Meghan Leigh Stancil Chisholm and husband Dan, Marenda Alice Huggins Ausbon and husband Todd; grandson, Ronnie Dale Huggins Jr. and wife Sandra; great-granddaughter, Scarlet Olivia Huggins.

She was preceded in death by her parents and husbands Thomas E. Stancil Jr. and Harry Calvin Ayers.

Mary Alice was the daughter of Edgar R. and Elizabeth "Lizzie" Gurganus Rivenbark. She was born Feb. 26, 1930. She grew up on a tobacco farm in the Penderlea Community of Pender County. Her mother was a school cafeteria manager. Mary Alice graduated from high school in Pender County, North Carolina.

Mary Alice was naturally nurturing and becoming a Registered Nurse was a perfect vocation for her. She graduated from the James Walker Memorial Hospital, Wilmington, North Carolina, in 1948. She and friends from Wilmington spent a weekend at the popular, White Lake, North Carolina resort. There she met "Junior," Thomas Emmette Stancil Jr., an eligible bachelor. Junior's summer business at the lake was giving airplane rides over the area and boat rides around the lake.

Junior lived with his parents, Thomas Emmette and Dessie Stancil, in a large house with a screened porch across the entire front facing the lake. They rented rooms, cabins and bunks to tourists.

Mary Alice was attracted to Junior's friendliness, outgoing personality, intellect and good looks. She also found him to be a fearless and competent pilot. Mary Alice began dating Junior and continued nursing in Wilmington. The relationship became quite serious and they decided to get married.

They were married on Nov. 23, 1952, at the Wallace Presbyterian Church parsonage in Wallace, NC, Duplin County. Junior's parents, Emmette and Dessie, Grandmother Eva Mercer Stancil, sisters Rose and Martha attended. Mrs. Fred Savage, the neighbor who paid for Mary Alice's nursing school, also attended.

Mary Alice earned her pilots license after they were married in 1952. Junior and Mary Alice purchased two planes, a cub sprayer and a Tri Pacer.

Mary Alice and Junior visited Uncle Ralph, Aunt Ethel Stancil and family in Florida several months after they were married. Uncle Ralph always mentioned how much the visits meant and that Junior had chosen a "good one" as Mary Alice help him plant a field of watermelons.

Once, a very pregnant Mary Alice had to make a near dark landing of a Piper Cub sprayer in a schoolyard because the school had been built where a landing strip use to be. She circled three times before landing in the ball field. She pulled the plane’s tail under a shelter w/ help by locals. Junior landed there the next morning and they both flew home to White Lake.

Mary Alice piloted one of the planes when she was pregnant with both Tommy III and Alice. Tommy III, born Feb. 22, 1954, rode in an airplane piloted by his father at 2 weeks of age. Junior took Alice, who was born Jan. 3, 1957, for an airplane ride when she was just 10 hours old.

She attended Stancil Reunions and family gatherings until she and Junior divorced in 1966. Alice lived with her mom; Tommy lived with his dad and visited often. Mary Alice and Junior kept their focus on the children and remained on friendly terms.

When daughter, Alice's, French Club planned a trip to France, her mother made sure Alice could join them even though money was tight. Mary Alice never hesitated to work in tobacco or take in boarders to earn extra money. Alice treasured this experience and the sacrifices her mother made.

Mary Alice celebrated milestones with Tommy and Alice as they graduated, married, became parents and in-laws.

Mary Alice was thrilled when her first grandchild, Ronnie Dale Huggins, Jr. was born. They had an especially close relationship. She kept him often and took him with her to Florida to visit Tommy, Marty and granddaughter Sarah Elizabeth. Mary Alice welcomed two more granddaughters; Marenda Alice Huggins and Meghan Leigh Stancil.

Mary Alice continued her nursing career. She was Director of Nursing and in Management for healthcare facilities in Beaufort and Pitt counties, North Carolina. Mary Alice retired from Pitt County Memorial Hospital in 1995.

Mary Alice was very proud when several family members became involved in the medical field. Alice works as the department administrator for Emergency Medicine at the medical school at East Carolina University, Meghan is a RN at Pitt Hospital in labor & delivery, Elizabeth is an Optometrist and Marenda is a Radiologic Technologist.

Tommy and Dale chose non-health care careers. Tommy has worked in the industrial metal fabrication industry in both Florida and North Carolina. He is currently in sales with Carver Machine Works in Washington, NC. Dale is an IT Security Consultant.

In 1992 Mary Alice moved next door to Alice and Ronnie. She became an active member of the Ayden Christian Church, the church of Alice, Tommy and families.

When Mary Alice's mother, Lizzie, needed help, Mary Alice invited her to live with her, which she did for 15 years. They shared a love of gardening and fishing. Each year they planted a huge garden and canned hundreds of jars vegetables, including tomatoes, peas, beans, squash and other delicious vegetables. They shared their love of canning with Alice, who now carries on the tradition.

Mary Alice likes dogs. She had a 14 year old red and white Welsh Corgi named "Coye." Mary Alice purchased him as a puppy. He was devoted to Mary Alice and her mother. "Coye" entertained them with his ability to dance about and they would laugh at his silly antics.

Jack, an Australian Shepherd, accompanied them anytime they were outside. Black bears live in the woods behind Mary Alice's house and with Jack on watch; she never worried about a chance encounter. Mary Alice often said that if she could find a man that would love her as much as Jack did, she would be all right!

In 1996 and 2002 Mary Alice joined the annual gathering of the George Ira Family at Parker's, in Wilson, North Carolina along with Alice, Tommy, and grandchildren.

Mary Alice was diagnosed with lung cancer in June 2006. She took charge of her treatments and drove herself, accompanied by her mother, to all but two appointments. When her mom needed total care, Mary Alice personally looked after her, seldom asking for help, until her death in June of 2008.

In 2010 Mary Alice gathered with her close knit family to celebrate her 80th birthday and Tommy's 56th birthday at O'Charley's in Greensville, NC.

Marenda and Todd's wedding was scheduled for Nov. 13, 2010. Mary Alice's condition worsened in July and doctor's were afraid she would not make it to November. Marenda and Todd wanted her and Ronnie's mother at their wedding. They had a small intimate wedding ceremony for family on July 25, 2010. God led them to do this and it was a blessing.

A special highlight of 2010 was the birth of her first great-granddaughter, Scarlet Olivia. Mary Alice had decided she was going to be called "GG." Sunday, Nov. 7, 2010, "GG" spent the afternoon enjoying time with Scarlet.

Alice wrote of her mother, "Mom was a great cook and enjoyed sharing whatever she had with family and friends. She was a wonderful daughter, mother, grandmother and great grandmother. We will all miss her dearly."

Mary Alice's welcoming smile, friendliness, helpfulness and love of people endeared her to the extended family. She will be remembered for her joy, laughter, unconditional love, optimism and faith in God.

These thoughts of Georgeanne Stancil Schore, shared with Tommy and Alice, reflect the feelings of many about Mary Alice.

"She was very kind and caring and we thought she was so pretty! We were sad when we heard that she and your dad divorced, because we knew he would never find another woman that would be so sweet and kind and who loved the entire Stancil family clan! Even though we were not in touch with her during the recent years, we still have warm memories of her."

Kenneth Wesley Collins, Dec. 29, 2010

Sept. 6, 1924-Dec. 29, 2010

Kenneth Wesley Collins Contributed

Kenneth "Ken" Wesley Collins, Josiah Branch, father of Debby Christine Collins Stevenot; Craig Samuel Collins and wife Susan; and Brett Wesley Collins and wife Nancy; and brother of Lois Marie Collins Mark and Loretta Jane Collins Dezzani; died at 86 on Dec. 29, 2010, in Stockton, California. Ken was born Sept. 6, 1924, in El Dorado County, California. He is the son of the late Clarence Samuel Collins and Gladys Marie Fisher; widower of Elizabeth "Betty" Jean Stancil Collins. He is the grandfather of Alexander Collins, wife Ashley; and Kevin Samuel Collins. In 1951, Ken purchased a Jeep and Willys Franchise. He sold Dodge automobiles. He opened a service station and added a dealership in Tahoe that included Pontiac, GMC and Opels. He is buried beside Betty in the Pioneer Cemetery, Georgetown, California. (Harry Lester)