George Garland Stancil

• Born June 6, 1918 Johnston County, NC
• Died Oct. 24, 2010 Johnston County, NC
• Married Doris Narron May 16, 1943 in Oregon

Garland Stancil was born June 6, 1918, and died on Oct. 24, 2010. He married Doris Narron on May 16, 1943..
Garland's children with Doris Narron Stancil
Katie Yvonne Stancil Dale
George Wallace Stancil

George Garland Stancil, the youngest of Harvey Arthur and Bertha Florence Smith Stancil’s eight children, was born at home in Johnston County, North Carolina, on June 6, 1918. 

He grew up on a farm with five sisters (Gertrude, Mavis, Vessie, Patsy, and Eula) and two brothers (Clyde and Carl), sharing a close bond with Carl. Garland attended Glendale schools and even sang a love song in a sixth-grade program to a classmate.

Garland's childhood on the farm included some difficult experiences. For a period around 1927, his family took in an orphan boy named Lawrence Smith, who was abusive to Garland and Carl. He was very mean and cruel. One day Garland and Carl decided to put an end to his meanness. They caught him down at the barn and tied him down. They had their knives out and were ready to castrate him when their Pa came around the corner and put a stop to this scene.

In more positive memories, Garland received a white goat named Bill from his father when he was young and trained him to pull a cart. He also developed a natural affinity for horses and farm animals, learning to drive mules, particularly a favorite named Daisy, at a young age. He even trained a Holstein steer named Boss to plow corn and haul wood. Garland also enjoyed borrowing Alvin's pony, Diamond, for farm work and riding Uncle George's horse, Trixie.

Hunting was a pastime Garland shared with his father and brother Clyde, often accompanied by Benny Jones and his Walker Hounds. Harvey had specialized hunting dogs for various game. One memorable, eerie night, while possum hunting with his sister Patsy and Alvin's daughter Virginia, Garland's usually reliable dogs behaved strangely after a hunting trip with Grover Eason. Following his father's unusual advice involving boiling dimes and a folk remedy, the dogs' hunting abilities were seemingly restored. Garland also enjoyed fox hunting with Bill Edwards, a grandson of his Uncle Josiah.

Before enlisting in the Army on October 12, 1942, at Fort Bragg, NC, Garland farmed for a season for Kermit Stancil, John Archer’s son. He had completed one year of high school and was working as an automobile service man.

Garland was dating Doris Narron, who was born on June 29, 1925, in Johnston County, the daughter of Manley Narron and Katie Gainey. Doris grew up on a tobacco farm in O’Neal Township and had six older brothers: Manley Jr., Johnny, Arnold, Tom, OB, and Cremo. 

They first met when Garland and his friends watched the construction of Highway 42 near Stancil’s Chapel, where Doris and her family were also observing. Garland famously declared his intention to marry her upon seeing her across the road. Garland asked someone, “Who is that girl on the other side of the road?” One person said, “It’s Doris Narron, why?” Garland replied, “Well, that's the girl I'm going to marry!” They began seeing each other.

While Garland was in basic training at Camp White, Oregon, near the Cascade Mountains, he sent for Doris. She traveled by train cross country, and they were married on May 16, 1943, in Oregon. 

Garland was soon deployed to the infantry, serving 14 months in Italy and marching from Naples to the Swiss border. During his time overseas, Doris returned to North Carolina and contributed to the war effort by working as an electrician's helper in the Norfolk, Virginia shipyards. She later used these skills when they built their own home.

Garland was discharged from the Army in December 1945 and returned home. Despite a promise from his father of inheriting the farm, he found that his brother Ollie had been put in charge. Times were tough, and for a year, Garland and Doris farmed on shares on Kermit Stancil's farm.

In 1947, they moved to Fayetteville, where Garland worked as a surgical attendant at the VA Hospital for four years, and they built a house. They had two children: Katie Yvonne, born in 1949, and George Wallace (G.W.), born in 1953.

In 1952, Garland and Doris moved back to Johnston County, farming on halves for Dr. Earp for about 20 years. This involved long days caring for a large number of hogs and cows. For their children, Garland had a pony and built a cart, though road rides ended after a dangerous incident with firecrackers.

Garland's father, Harvey, died in 1956. Through a series of events involving a loan to his brother Ollie, Garland eventually acquired the family farm. In October 1965, Garland and Doris began building their own home on the farm, with Garland continuing to farm for Dr. Earp while managing his own land.

Doris, a skilled seamstress, made many clothes for herself and Katie. She also pursued an interest in cosmetology, opening a beauty shop in their home and later working part-time as a seamstress in Wilson.

She was a long-time and active member of Antioch Baptist Church in Middlesex, her childhood church, singing in the choir and participating in the WMU. She attended church services as long as she was able.

Doris was also an avid gardener. G.W. helped her with the garden until she decided to stop in 2013. Doris froze, canned, and pickled a variety of vegetables. Vegetables in her garden included collards, cabbage, beans, cukes, tomatoes, potatoes, artichokes, okra and several varieties of squash. 

Garland had a lifelong love for horses, ponies, mules, and donkeys, training horses and later enjoying G.W.'s miniature donkeys. He rode horses until his mid-70s. He was known for his memorable quote, "Their elevator doesn't go all the way to the top."

Over the years, Garland and Doris attended many Stancil Family Reunions in Kenly. Doris and Garland also attended many Fletcher and Gertrude Stancil Pittman Reunions. Gertrude was Garland’s half-sister. Her mother died when she was born. Her pa, Harvey, married Bertha a few years later. She was a wonderful mother to Gertrude.

Garland died at the age of 92 on October 24, 2010, in the VA hospital in Durham, NC, after a history of heart problems. He is buried in the Antioch Baptist Church Cemetery in Middlesex.

Doris, his beloved wife of 67 years, passed away on January 26, 2017, at the age of 91, after battling pulmonary fibrosis and contracting pneumonia. She is also buried in the Antioch Baptist Church Cemetery alongside Garland. 

She was remembered for her kindness, her skills as a seamstress and cook, her active involvement in her church, and the loving home she created with Garland. Their children fondly recalled growing up in a Christian home where they were taught respect, a strong work ethic, and the importance of family.

Daughter, Katie remembers her parents: "We grew up in a loving Christian home with parents who provided us with everything we needed and taught us to respect others, a good work ethic, and the importance of family. I'll forever be proud of who they were and how they lived. We were so fortunate to have them as long as we did and for our children to have a great relationship with them and special memories." 

Son George remembers his parents: “They were hard working people that sacrificed a lot for their family. I'll always be proud of them and appreciative for the life they provided for us.”