Margaret Stancil Sellers
Margaret Stancil Sellers in 1996.
Margaret Stancil Sellers was born June 22, 1927, and died Jan. 12, 2008.
|
| Margaret's child with Lloyd Thomas Sellers |
| Margaret "Marty" Loy Sellers |
Clyde Holland Stancil, William Arthur Stancil
Jr., Bill and Margaret Stancil Sellers.
Family archives
|
Margaret Stancil Sellers, the only daughter and youngest child of Clyde Holland and William Arthur Stancil, was born on June 22, 1927. She was the granddaughter of Pinettie Edwards and John Archer Stancil. John had a special place in his heart for Margaret, often buying candy just for her and holding her in his lap.
Margaret grew up with her brothers, 'Tom' Worth Hayes and 'Bill' William Arthur Jr., on a tobacco farm in Johnston County, NC. Her early jobs included churning butter using a wooden churn, gathering eggs, and working in the garden. Margaret disliked the repetitive up-and-down motion of the dasher and preferred more exciting tasks.
In 1943, when Margaret was 13, she and Clyde moved to Kenly. Clyde, an excellent seamstress, earned money by sewing for families in Kenly and made all of Margaret's clothes. Margaret's cousin, Rose Stancil, daughter of Emmette Stancil, lived in Kenly with her grandparents. Margaret and Rose often double-dated, attended school events, and became close friends, a fondness that would last a lifetime.
Margaret and Rose were supposed to attend Kenly High School but wanted to continue at Glendale. This was possible because they rode with Miss Andrea Covington, a Glendale teacher. They met her each morning at the Post Office for the 5-mile ride. Margaret and Rose were free-spirited and once skipped school after arriving, walking all the way to Kenly for a day of leisure.
During the early 1940s, students at Glendale School, Johnston County, NC, had the option of graduating after either 11 or 12 years of schooling. Margaret chose 12 years and graduated in 1945.
Shortly before graduation, recruiters from the Federal Government came to Glendale High School. Many opportunities were available in Washington, D.C. Margaret decided to move to Washington, D.C., and accept a government position. She worked for the Veterans Administration from 1945 until January 1946.
Margaret met her husband, Lloyd, through her brother Tom. Lloyd grew up in Kenly and graduated from Kenly High School. Tom and Lloyd both worked in the Norfolk Shipyards. Margaret wrote to Lloyd while he was in service. They married soon after he returned on Feb. 13, 1946, in Dillon, S.C. They moved to Portsmouth, Va., and lived there for six months. Margaret became pregnant, and they returned to Wilson, NC, where their daughter Margaret Loy was born on Nov. 21, 1946. She was nicknamed Marty.
Lloyd worked in NC but could not make enough money, so he returned to D.C., where the pay was better. Margaret and her daughter stayed in NC for a short time with Clyde before heading back to D.C. Margaret enrolled in night courses at the American Institute and Strayer College, where she learned speed writing.
In September 1948, Margaret worked for the district government and then transferred to the Federal Government. Lloyd worked for RC Nehi Soft Drinks Company.
One of Margaret's first important jobs was working for the Assistant Secretary of Health during the Johnson Administration. She stayed on during the Nixon Administration and moved to the Pentagon, where she met and impressed James Rodney Schlesinger.
Margaret retired in 1978 after a 31-year, 11-month career. She moved to Goldsboro but stayed less than a year before returning to Virginia. Mr. Schlesinger immediately hired Margaret as his assistant. She loved her work but was forced to retire again due to heart problems in April 2001.
Margaret Stancil Sellers
Margaret Stancil Sellers and Maura Stancil
|
Over the years, Margaret stayed in touch with her NC roots. She grew up attending Stancil Family Reunions and, in 1973, returned to her Stancil roots for this annual event started in 1902. Margaret often assisted with registration and welcoming members.
Margaret died on Jan. 12, 2008, in Fairfax, Va. She is survived by her daughter Margaret Loy Sellers, step-mother Sidney Stancil, half-brother Edward T. Stancil, half-sister Betty S. Brown, sister-in-law Jean Stancil, nephews Richard Thomas Stancil, Michael Wayne Brown, Wayne Thomas Stancil, Charles Allan Stancil, Stephen Gene Stancil, Justin Worth Stancil, Garrett Stancil, and nieces Margaret Rebecca High, Pamela Kaye Stancil Martin, Maura Kate Stancil, Rachel Cameron Brown, Meredith Paige Brown, and Ashley Miranda Stancil.
The Stancil Family will miss her warm smile and tidbits of family history.
| www.stancilreunion.com Contact Us |