Pluma Stancil Sullivan
|
|
| Pluma's children with Clement |
|---|
| Carolyn Esther Sullivan Eakes |
Courtesy Stancil Reunion Archive |
Pluma Esther Stancil Sullivan, the eldest daughter of Esther Ann Peedin and Alvin Roscoe Stancil, was born on October 10, 1918, in Beulah Township of Johnston County, North Carolina. She was a granddaughter of John Thomas Stancil.
Her father, Alvin, named her Pluma after a respected teacher, Pluma Wilder, who lived near Zebulon.
Pluma grew up on the Alvin Stancil Farm in Johnston County alongside her siblings: Beulah, Vernard, Virginia, Glenn, and Donell. From a young age, Pluma cultivated a deep love and appreciation for nature, with a particular fondness for snapdragons. A poignant memory from her youth involved helping to clear weeds and branches from the Stancil Cemetery. Surveying the row of wooden crosses, Pluma remarked to her mother, "Mama, we're going to fill this row up with babies!" a heartbreaking prophecy as six of her own siblings would eventually be buried there.
Pluma was a gifted individual with a variety of talents. She possessed beautiful penmanship, excelling at the Palmer Method of cursive writing. Academically, she was a member of the Glendale School debate team and also played on the girls' basketball team. Pluma had a particular love for Latin, easily memorizing and quoting many phrases when appropriate.
Her musical inclination was evident in her singing and piano playing. For many years, beginning at a young age, Pluma served her community by playing the pump organ for Center Ridge Presbyterian Church services.
Pluma met Clement Benjamin Sullivan from Wayne County during a visit to her cousins, Myrtle and Hilda, daughters of George Ira Stancil. Clement, born on December 21, 1917, in Wayne County, and Pluma quickly became a devoted couple. They married on Clement's 20th birthday, December 21, 1937, at the Presbyterian Manse in Kenly, NC. Her sister Virginia shared in their special moment.
Pluma affectionately called Clement "Clem," and he, in turn, called her "Plum." After their marriage, Clem brought his bride to Buck Swamp Township in Wayne County, where he farmed tobacco. Pluma began her married life as a farm wife, a role she embraced for several years before transitioning into food service for the local school system. Exceptionally bright, Pluma seized every opportunity for professional development, advancing through various courses to become a licensed dietitian. She not only valued nutritious food but also its appealing presentation, excelling at both. Throughout her life, she loved to experiment with new dishes, holding a particular fondness for Chinese cuisine.
Pluma and Clem had one daughter, Carolyn Esther. Pluma was remarkably skilled with a needle and thread; she made all of Carolyn’s clothes for many years, crafted draperies, and mastered the art of tailoring. These skills were likely influenced by her mother-in-law, who possessed an uncanny ability to replicate a dress simply by observing it in a store window.
Through her career, Pluma had the opportunity to embark on many memorable trips. Her favorite destinations included Hawaii, California, and the New England states. She also enjoyed trips to Williamsburg and Washington, D.C., shared with Carolyn and her husband, De.
Community Involvement and Personal Philosophy Pluma was a deeply active and devoted member of Stoney Creek Baptist Church in Goldsboro, where she served as an excellent Sunday School teacher for almost half a century. Her natural leadership abilities were widely recognized, leading her to give many inspirational talks within the community, including one at Little Rock Free Will Baptist Church in Lucama, NC, pastored by her son-in-law, DeWayne Eakes. Pluma loved collecting poetry and special readings, and her creative flair and decorating skills were often sought after for various church and community events.
Pluma faced significant challenges in her life. At just 16, a firecracker cap exploded in a fireplace, striking her left eye. She was taken to Duke, but specialists were baffled and unable to restore most of the sight in that eye. Nearly two decades later, she underwent a successful cornea transplant in her good eye.
In 1966, Pluma endured the profound sadness of becoming a widow when her beloved Clement tragically died in a hunting accident. Her strong faith played a crucial role in helping her cope with this immense loss.
Among her cherished hobbies were embroidery and cross-stitch, skills she learned from her mother. She generously gifted many of her beautiful creations to others.
Pluma Esther Stancil Sullivan passed away on October 18, 2008, at the Avante Nursing Center in Wilson, NC, after several years of declining health. Her last Stancil Reunion was attended in 2004. Her funeral was held at Stoney Creek Baptist Church in Goldsboro at 5 p.m. on October 20, 2008, officiated by Reverends Gary Bailey, Barry Williams, and her son-in-law, DeWayne Eakes. She was laid to rest beside her beloved husband, Clement, in the Stoney Creek Baptist Church Cemetery.
Pluma will be remembered for her beautiful, friendly smile, her profound love for family and friends, and the wise words she lived by: "Laugh often, forgive, and make a new friend every day. You'll have a happy life," and "Count out the things that don't really count!"
— Renn Stancil Hinton, daughter of George Ralph Stancil