James Harding Stancil |
James Harding Stancil in 2002
James Harding Stancil was born June 20, 1921, and died Feb. 18, 2009. He married Edna Florine Wood on Jan. 16, 1944.
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Jimmy's children with Edna Florine Wood |
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Anne Stancil Langston |
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James Harding Stancil II |
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Phillip Anthony Stancil
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David Michael Stancil |
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Daniel "Danny" Stuart Stancil |
For more on Jimmy's military career: http://lcweb2.loc.gov/diglib/vhp/bib/26535.
James Harding and Flo Stancil, 1944
"Jimmy" Stancil died on Feb. 18, 2009
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James "Jimmy" Harding Stancil, Josiah Branch, the oldest son of Leumos and Sarah Ethel Harris Stancil, was born on June 20, 1921, in a tenant house on Josiah's farm in Johnston County, North Carolina.
The earliest Stancil Reunion Jimmy remembers was in 1928. He was playing chase and fell into the tub of lemonade. Uncle Harvey pulled him out, admonishing all of them with a twinkle in his eye.
Six-year-old Jimmy lived with Josiah and Minnie while his pa sold Rawleigh products in Nashville, N.C. Jimmy recalled getting into a wasp nest at Josiah's farm. Josiah treated the numerous stings with tobacco juice from his chewing tobacco.
He went to Kenly School with Aunt Leafy and Aunt Mozelle. Jimmy became angry with his teacher close to end of the school term. He turned over an ink well; it spattered her dress. He quickly ran out of school. Later he declared to Minnie, "I quit school!" His report card came in the mail and he had passed.
In 1927, Leumos and Ethel arrived at grandpa Josiah's house with Jimmy, Paul, Harold and Maxine for a square dance celebrating Minnie's birthday. The children were put to bed in the bedroom that opened onto the large back porch where the dance was held.
Great Uncle Alvin played violin, Great Uncle Henry played the fiddle, Great Uncle Harvey played Banjo, Leumos and Great Uncle George the Autoharp. Neighbors attended as well as family.
Josiah served homemade peach brandy, a real treat. Jimmy, Paul, and Harold watched through the screen door. The musical group had their backs to the bedroom. They had a jug of brandy they passed around. As a new song started the jug was put down close to the door. Jimmy opened the door and slipped out. He put the jug to his lips and drank the sweet brandy. It wasn't long before Jimmy stood up and began dancing to the music. Suddenly he moved to center stage and did the do-si-do in front; He was greeted by clapping and left with a life long memory.
In 1929, Leumos moved his family to Wilson, NC, and worked for Wilson Stockade. Jimmy and brother Paul were riding in the back of a truck at the Stockade while younger brother Harold was sitting in the cab. Jimmy noticed Harold slumped over and yelled for Harold; he wouldn't wake up. Toxic fumes drifted into the cab through holes in the floor. "5-Spot," a prison trustee, heard Jimmy. "5-Spot" picked up his ball and chain, ran and yelled for Leumos. Quickly Leumos arrived and revived Harold using mouth to mouth resuscitation, a skill he probably learned in the Army.
While in Wilson, Jimmy often played with cousin Durward and Fernie Stancil, Elbert's sons. Jimmy recalled that one day after school, they all got muddy playing in a culvert. Elbert spanked all of them.
Leumos moved his family to Chattanooga when Jim was eight. In 1934, cousin Ralph Stancil, who was foreman of a California ranch, visited. Ralph wore boots, cowboy hat, and chaps. Jimmy and Paul told friends, "We have a real life cowboy in the family." During this time, cowboy Tom Mix was popular at the movies.
Jimmy's first job was selling the weekly Grit newspapers. He, along with brothers Paul and Harold, worked as caddies at the golf course as soon as they were large enough to carry a golf bag. Tips provided spending money.
Josiah never had a child graduate from high school. He encouraged Jimmy with a promise he would pay for his college education at the University of North Carolina or Duke. Jimmy graduated in May 1939. Josiah died in July 1939 and Jimmy's dreams of college were dashed. He did attend the University of Chattanooga for one year before the war broke out and he enlisted.
Jimmy served as a merchant seaman from Oct. 19, 1942, to May of 1946. He served aboard the sailing vessel the Joseph Conrad, USS Roger B. Taney, USS John A Dix, and USS Frederick Remington. Ports of call included St. Petersburg, Fla., Sheepshead Bay, New York, Mediterranean Sea, Indian Ocean, Baltic Sea, and locations in the European Theater. Jimmy attained the rank of Lieutenant Junior Grade.
Jimmy married Flo in his family's Chattanooga home surrounded by his parents, siblings, and Flo's parents. Flo's cousin Louise Wood Wilcox, who married exactly one year earlier, was excluded because it was believed a pregnant woman at the wedding jinxed the marriage.
Jimmy and Flo joined the Pan Gap Baptist Church and later joined Lookout Valley Baptist Church. Jimmy was an active member of the Lookout Valley Lions Club and the Merchant Marines Veterans' Club, serving as the secretary-treasurer.
Jim taught all the children to play cribbage and dominoes, and taught Anne to play "Mary Had a Little Lamb" on her toy piano. He was very musical playing the auto harp, mandolin, harmonica (French harp), and piano. He loved bluegrass concerts and gardening. Among Jimmy's favorites that he sang were "Maria Elena," "Scatterbrain," and "Over the Waves." Jimmy encouraged his children's musical ability, and they all took piano lessons. Family gatherings included plenty of pickin' and singin'.
Jimmy often took Jimmy II, Phillip, David, and Danny on fishing trips to the Tennessee River (about two miles from the house). A highlight was cooking fish on the river bank.
Jimmy's favorite pet was a flying squirrel he named Gregory. Gregory loved snuggling in Jimmy's pocket. Dogs and cats in Jimmy's neighborhood, many homeless, knew they could depend on Jimmy for a daily meal until he entered the hospital.
Dancing was a passion Jimmy and Flo shared. They loved to Jitterbug and foxtrot. They also loved to dance on skates. After Flo died Jimmy continued dancing. On Saturday nights you would find him at the East Ridge Town Hall kicking up his heels. He was a favorite partner of the ladies.
Under Jimmy's leadership, he and other men from his church joined to start a mission at the lower end of Lookout Valley in January of 1955. Jimmy always gave credit to God saying that he was led by the Lord. On May 1, 1956, this mission became the Riverside Baptist Church. It still thrives today.
Jimmy became its first Sunday School Superintendent.
Jimmy retired from the U.S. Postal Service in 1991.
On June 18, 2006, Jimmy was honored by speaking at the 50th anniversary of the Riverside Baptist Church. These remarks about Jimmy were included in the Anniversary Booklet, "Mr. Jim Stancil, I feel, answered God's call to start those Sunday school classes. I'm sure his humility, love, and compassion left an indelible impression on many lives."
Jimmy joined us for the 2008 Stancil Reunion. Over the years he brought the Stancil Clock, a wedding gift from John Thomas Stancil to his wife Delanie, to several Reunions. Tom and Delanie were married on July 15, 1860.
Jimmy died at 87 on Feb. 18, 2009, at a hospital in Chattanooga, Tennessee, after a short illness. He was hospitalized in early December with liver problems. He recovered, spending Christmas with his children Jimmy II, Anne, David, Danny, and their families. This reprieve did not last long and Jimmy reentered the hospital. Jimmy died surrounded by family on Feb. 18, 2009.
Jimmy was buried beside his beloved wife Flo in the Chattanooga Memorial Cemetery with full military honors. He did not choose to be buried in the National Cemetery because he wanted to be buried beside Flo and his mother.
He was preceded in death by his wife of 54 years, Edna Florine Wood, who died April 21, 1998, son Phillip Anthony, who died July 5, 2007, and younger sister Billy Jean Stancil Rowles, who died on Oct. 20, 1986.
Jimmy's eyes lit up whenever he saw one of his kinfolk and they shared a warm embrace. His Stancil roots ran deep.
His children lost their hero and the Stancil Family lost a beloved member. Jimmy left a legacy of love that extended far beyond his family to the children of lower Lookout Valley and beyond.
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