Essie Stancil Williams Essie Stancil William was born Aug. 6, 1911, and died Oct. 19, 1936.

Essie's children Jimmy Lee Williams June 1, 1930 Durham, NC-April 11, 2013 Durham, NC

Bettie Lou Williams Christmas Graham April 28, 1931 Durham, NC-Nov. 25, 2023 Hillsborough, NC

Essie with daughter Bettie Lou Williams Family photo

Essie Stancil was born on August 6, 1911.

Essie met James Williams in Durham. They married about 1929 and lived in Durham. Two children were born: where Jimmie Lee was born on Jan. 1, 1930, and Bettie Lou on April 28, 1931. They lived at 1109 East Main Street in Durham. This was close to the Fire Station.

James left the family about 1933. Jimmie recalled watching him when he left. He never returned.

Essie and the children continued to live in a 2nd floor apartment. Bettie thinks her Mama liked coke because she recalled drinking from a Coke bottle with a nipple on it. Kindergarten that Bettie attended was downstairs. Bettie slept with Essie. She recalled waking up and seeing a Negro who looked after her, sitting near. Essie was not there.

Essie developed serious kidney problems. She died on Oct. 19, 1936. Essie was buried close to Kenly in an open field. She was only 26 years old.

Jimmie and Bettie were taken in by their grandpa Walter and his wife, Louise. Walter lived and farmed in Four Oaks. They stayed for a time.

In 1937, caring for the children became too much for Walter and Louise. Jimmie, 7 and Bettie, 6, were taken to the Barium Springs Home for Children near Statesville.

The Barium Springs Home for Children was founded in 1891 by the Synod of North Carolina, Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.). The Home began as an orphanage, serving children whose parents died during their childbearing years.

The campus was large and complete with a church and schools.

Bettie remembered her father coming and wanting to take Jimmie out. By this time, the orphanage was home to Jimmie and Bettie. Jimmie wouldn't leave.

The Orphanage taught good religious values and scriptures. They also taught the children skills such as dairy and truck farming. Children were taught to be shoe cobblers and how to print. Jimmie especially enjoyed printing.

Summers and holidays were spent with Aunt Sadie and Uncle Robert in Durham. About 1948, Gurnie took Jimmie and Bettie to visit their mother's grave. Jimmie recalled it had a tombstone, but he did not see any other markers. It was located somewhere in Johnston County near Kenly in an open field.

When Jimmie was a senior, he and classmates visited other orphanages throughout the state. This gave them an opportunity to learn about life there.

Jimmie graduated in a class of about 25. This was a sad time as the orphanage was home. Jimmie immediately joined Navy. He served in the Navy during the Korean War for four years. When he returned he met Nancy Lloyd. They were married in March of 1957 by a Judge in Durham. They had one son Ricky Williams born Jan. 28, 1960. Ricky married Tammie Eubanks.

Jimmie became a printer and eventually owned his own printing shop in Durham. He maintained contact with classmates returning often to reunions.

Bettie's graduation class at Barium Springs was only six. She moved in with Sadie for several years. During this time Bettie realized she need a church and found the Hillsborough Baptist Church met her religious needs. She was attracted to their plan for salvation.

Bettie first job was at a Drug Store, Sawyer and Moore. Bettie met her first husband Ronald Joseph Christmas through friends. He was a paratrooper. They married Oct. 5, 1952. Her son Ronnie Joe Christmas was born June 20, 1952.

Bettie worked more than 10 years for the telephone company.

Bettie met Otis Graham through friends. Otis was born in Richmond, Va., the son of Luther and Edna Creasey Graham. During World War II he was in the U.S. Navy.

They married in 1962. They had three children. Steven Lewis was born on Dec. 17, 1962. Marty Lynn was born Sept. 2, 1965.

Joy Marie was born March 11, 1976. The family attended Gospel Baptist Tabernacle Church. Otis was employed as an automobile mechanic for Perry's Gulf Service.

Bettie operated a children's day care for 25 years.

— Renn Stancil Hinton