Ruby Irene Stancil Creech- Born Dec 17, 1926 Johnston County, NC
- Died June 6, 2018 Smithfield, NC
- Married Willard Grover Creech on March 27, 1948
Ruby Irene Stancil Creech
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Ruby Irene Stancil Creech
Ruby Stancil was born Dec. 17, 1926, and died June 6, 2018. She married Willard Grover Creech on March 27, 1948.
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| Ruby's children with Grover Creech |
| Philip Haywood Creech |
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Marcia Ann Creech Parks |
| Byron Grover Creech |
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Lucia Michele Creech Washam |
Ruby and Grover Creech.
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Ruby Irene Stancil, the youngest daughter of James Oscar Stancil and his second wife, Mamie Hocutt, was born Dec. 17, 1926. Older brothers were James ‘Jim’ Orville and Henry ‘Doc’ Rudolph. Oscar’s first wife, Allie Edwards, mother of Guy, Gurnie and Ruth died of T.B. Oscar met Mamie, a tall, pretty and smart teacher with black hair and blue eyes, in the Micro General Store, Johnston County, N.C. They quickly fell in love.
Ruby was born at home on Dec. 17, 1926, in Grandpa Henry Stancil’s tenant house. Ruby grew up attending Antioch Missionary Baptist Church, Middlesex, N.C.
Ruby met her future husband, Willard Grover Creech, son of Joseph H. and Zilpha Creech, in first grade and both graduated from Glendale High School in 1944. Ruby entered Hardbarger’s Business School in Raleigh. Grover enlisted in the Army and was sent to Germany. The war ended.
Grover entered the School of Pharmacy at UNC-Chapel Hill. Ruby and Grover were in love and ready for marriage. Ruby handwrote wedding invitations. They married March 27, 1948, in the Antioch Baptist Church. Her mother made Ruby’s satin gown with covered buttons. Recently, Lou Stancil, wife of Donell, returned an invitation sent to Esther Peedin Stancil.
Grover and Ruby Stancil Creech at the 2013 Stancil Reunion.
Family archives
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Grover continued his studies. Ruby was hired by the Dean of Dentistry’s Office. Ruby organized the Pharmacy Student Wives Auxiliary at UNC and was its first president. Following Grover’s graduation in 1954, they returned to Johnston County. Grover and brother Joe, also a pharmacist, owned Creech Drug Company in Selma. Grover was a founder of the Johnston County Pharmacy Organization and first president.
During this time, Grover became more involved in the community. He joined the Kiwanis Club, served in many leadership positions including board of directors. He’s a life member of the Greater Smithfield-Selma Area Chamber of Commerce, served as President and headed up many committees. Grover received the Community Pharmacy Award, for a lifetime of service.
In 1967, they moved to Smithfield where Grover was co-owner of the Medical Center Pharmacy. Later he founded a construction company, J & C Homes. Ruby served as bookkeeper, interior designer and landscaper. Her natural flair for art and design opened doors as Ruby’s skills were in demand. Ruby served as president of the Woman’s Auxiliary of the North Carolina Pharmaceutical Association, and now as an advisor. Ruby, an excellent speaker, has spoken at many meetings. Topics included, “Happiness is Helping” and “The Role of the Pharmacist’s Wife in the Community.”
Locally Ruby was active in the Smithfield Garden Club, P.T.A., Cub Scout Den Mother, received the Distinguished Service and President’s Awards, American Cancer Society. She and Grover worked for years on the Glendale High School reunion committee. The North Carolina Museum of History wanted a Health and Healing Exhibit, Ruby volunteered for the Pharmacy Committee, charged with creating the 1920s-era drug store.
Ruby’s expertise was called on again for the 100th anniversary of the N.C. Pharmaceutical Association. She helped design and quilt the large wall hanging at UNC’s Institute of Pharmacy. Ruby’s an accomplished artist, won prizes at fairs. Her paintings include portraits, still-lifes and flowers. Ruby embraces skills her mother taught including quilting, sewing, crocheting and added new ones; upholstery, refinishing furniture and millinery.
On Aug. 28, 2002, Grover and Ruby Creech received the prestigious M. Fearing Award for lifelong community pharmacy service from The Campbell University School of Pharmacy. This recognizes outstanding pharmacists for their patient dedication, community engagement and professional involvement. Grover and Ruby were the first couple to receive this honor.
Ruby and Grover are members of the Sharon Baptist Church, Smithfield, N.C. Grover has served on the board of trustees, Ruby was church historian and both have served in leadership positions. Ruby and Grover were blessed with four children: Philip Haywood, Marcia Ann, Byron Grover and Lucia Michele.
Grover relaxes by playing golf. Over the years he achieved his ultimate dream, and three of golf’s hardest feats, he made three holes in one! Ruby and Grover’s life has reflected their philosophy, “We are happiest when we are helping others.”
She desired to make the world a better place for others.
Ruby died June 6, 2018, in Smithfield, North Carolina. She is buried in Selma Memorial Gardens in Selma, North Carolina.
She was preceded in death by brothers, James Orville Stancil, Rudolph (Doc) Stancil, George Guy Stancil and Jack Stancil; sisters, Gurnie Crabtree and Ruth Januik. She is survived by her husband of 70 years Willard Grover Creech; sons: Philip Haywood Creech and wife Rebekah Pennington, Byron Grover Creech and wife Tammy Tyson; daughters: Marcia Creech Parks and husband Gary Howard, Lucia Creech Washam and husband William Russell Jr; grandchildren: Wayne Lewis Colley, Christopher Sean Colley and wife Pamela Dawn Newlin, Jennifer Parks Haiducek and husband Dale Patrick, Justin Howard Parks, Christopher Graham Creech and wife Katy Millberg, Matthew Cameron Creech, William Russell Washam III and wife Caroline Westray, Kevin Joseph Washam and fiancée Jessica Connell; great-grandchildren: Christopher Colley Jr., Sharon Nicole Colley.
Her beloved Grover died at 95 on Jan. 20, 2022, in Smithfield, North Carolina. He is also buried in Selma Memorial Gardens.
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