Delanie Mavis Stancil
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Delanie Mavis Stancil Hill
Delanie Mavis Stancil was born Aug. 15, 1907, and died July 17, 1979. She married Raymond Hill on Sept. 7, 1923. She married George Vernon Stancil on Jan. 20, 1940.
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| Delanie's children with Raymond Hill |
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Ollie Fulton Hill June 14, 1924 Johnston, NC-July 15, 1957 Wilmington, NC |
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Claudia Mavis Hill Guzzo Aug. 15, 1925-Nov. 18, 2004 Johnston, NC |
Bertha and Harvey’s oldest daughter was Delanie Mavis born August 15, 1907. Mavis completed grammar school at Glendale where she met Raymond Hill. Raymond was a very good looking man and very talented musically with a wonderful voice. Raymond grew up in the community attending Glendale School through 3rd of 4th grade. He was a nephew of Fred Hill. Raymond got a job at the Post Office but didn’t have enough education so he quit. He became a tenant farmer for Alvin Stancil.
Mavis and Raymond fell in love and decided to marry. Fifteen year old Mavis married Raymond Hill, twenty one at her home, September 7, 1923. She gave her age as sixteen. The marriage was performed by her Uncle George Stancil, justice of the Peace. Witnesses were: Fletcher Pittman, Millard Stancil and J. W. Pittman. Fletcher was Mavis’ brother-in-law, Millard was her first cousin, Uncle John’s son. George memorized the ceremony for this special occasion. Mavis and Raymond spent their first night with Alvin and Esther.
Harvey had some concerns because Raymond had the reputation of having a bad temper with some meanness mixed in. He even had a brother who had deserted his wife.
Mavis and Raymond moved into the tenant house at Uncle Sam’s old place in the house he’d built for Elbert. The crops were almost ready for harvesting.
A day or two after the wedding Mavis received a letter from her sweet heart, Webster Creech who didn’t know she was married. Mavis’ heart was heavy as she loved Webster. She decided to look forward not backward.
Raymond went to church with Mavis and joined Holly Springs. He was very easy going as long as he was sober. Mavis didn’t drink at all.
In late 1923 or early 1924, Emmette and Raymond Hill went to a Revival at the Niagara Holiness Church. Ralph asked, “ Raymond why are you going there.” Raymond replied, “Sometime during the meeting they turn out the light and feel for Jesus.”
Harvey built a house for Mavis and Raymond. Mavis and Raymond had two children Ollie born June 14, 1924 and Claudia born August 15, 1925. Raymond was working as a janitor at Glendale school in 1927 and had enough money to buy a car.
He accompanied Ralph Stancil, Jesse Hales, Robert Pittman, Abendigo Adkinson on a trip to Florida. They went in Robert’s car. Robert was the nephew of Jesse Hales, his mother was Pinettie Hales, Abendigo was Jesse’s brother in-law, married to Sarah Jane Hales. Jesse was half brother to John Thomas Stancil. Robert and Raymond sat in the front and took turns driving. Ralph sat in the middle of the back seat between Jesse and Abendigo. They left on July 3, 1927 driving all day, then sleeping in the car. They arrived on July 4 at the home of Jesse’s nephew William Madison Hales in Ocala. While in Florida they visited the local sights including Lake Weir and Silver Springs. One of the highlights of the trip on the glass bottom boat was feeding the fish. Ralph met his future wife Ethel Hales, daughter of William Hales, Jesse’s nephew on this trip.Raymond left Alvin’s farm and became a tenant farmer for James Woodard. Mavis and Raymond’s relationship was a difficult one. One day the kids were at Harvey’s and daughter Patsy took the kids back home. Patsy saw that Mavis had been beaten up. She told her Pa what she saw. The story goes that Mavis had made some candy. Raymond came home for lunch, saw the candy and became irate. Apparently he’d plan to use the sugar for whiskey making. After abusing Mavis he returned to work on the farm.
As soon as Patsy left, Mavis decided to leave. Mavis left the car there, took her children, and walked to Harvey’s. Clyde was at his Dad’s. Word spread, George and Alvin also went to Harvey’s. George and Clyde told Ralph to go and take Raymond’s place cropping tobacco because they wanted to talk to him. Ralph did and Raymond walked home. In the late afternoon Harvey, George, Alvin, Ralph and Clyde went down to talk to Raymond. Harvey asked Raymond why he beat Mavis. Raymond said,”She had it coming and I beat the hell out of her.” Harvey said, “I told you never to lay a hand on her without good cause.” Raymond pulled out a pocket knife. Alvin told him, “Raymond put it away.” Harvey said, “If you’re going to use it you’d better do a good job.” Raymond cut Harvey twice, Harvey knocked him down and stomped on him. Alvin pulled Harvey off, kept Harvey from killing Raymond. The Sheriff came out and took Raymond to John William Crockrell’s house. Then to the jail. Jim Crockrell made the bond for Raymond until the Trial. Ralph, George, Alvin and Harvey all testified at the trial.
Harvey was taken to the doctor. The doctor asked him if he wanted to sit down while he sewed him up, Harvey replied, “No, I stood for him to cut me and I can stand for you to sew me up.”
Raymond didn’t want to go to jail and tried to make up with Mavis. Mavis wouldn’t have any part of it.
There was a trial. The Judge said that Raymond broke the law by cutting a man. James Woodard wanted Harvey to drop the charges so Raymond could get the tobacco crop in and finish farming on shares with Alvin. Harvey refused. Raymond was sent to the County Road gang.
Mavis and Raymond separated, Harvey and Bertha took Ollie and Claudia during this time. Alvin gave a check to pay off Raymond’s creditors. Raymond was very angry and threatened Alvin. After the crops were sold and Raymond was out of jail he left the area. In the 1930 Census, Raymond was living in Painesville, Ohio. He and Mavis had divorced. Raymond was driving a bus and living in a rooming house.
Raymond returned to visit Ollie and Claudia. They were staying with Harvey and Bertha and remained with them.
Raymond died January 1969 in Kinston. He was buried in one of Harvey’s plot at Holly Springs Freewill Baptist Church. Ralph put a marker on his grave.
Mavis married George Vernon Stancil January 20, 1940. He was a widower and the son of Rev. Debro Stancil, a brother of Nevel Stancil who married George’s daughter Delanie.
Mavis and Vernon attended a Stancil Reunion. Walter Green Stancil, Henry’s oldest son sought to educate Vernon about his heritage. He told George that his father Debro, was born out of wedlock and that James Henry Stancil was not his father. This upset Mavis and Vernon. They stopped attending Stancil Reunions, often planning other activities for the Harvey Clan to keep them away from the Reunion. Walter knew the facts but his timing was bad.
Mavis was an active member of the Bethany Baptist Church. She and Vernon were well suited and had a happy marriage.
George and his first wife Maude Cuttington had four children: Margaret, Shorty, Ruth, and Verna Gray. Verna Gray was called Peggy. She and Mavis died on the same day. Peggy had brain cancer. Shorty was a successful contractor.
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