Lelon Woodrow Eason Sr., affectionately known as "Woody," was born on June 14, 1939, in Beulah Township, Johnston County, North Carolina. He was the second child of Grover Cleveland and Myrtle Stancil Eason.

Woody graduated from high school in Wilson, North Carolina. On November 21, 1967, he married Brenda Faye Wiggins in Hall's Township, Sampson County, at a preacher's house. At the time, Woody was a police officer, and Brenda worked for Carolina Power and Light.

Together, Woody and Brenda had three children: Lelon Woodrow Eason Jr., born on January 21, 1969; Norma Renee Eason, born on March 8, 1970; and Jennifer Lynn Eason, born on July 12, 1981.

After spending some time in Florida, Woody and Brenda moved to Wake Forest, North Carolina. Woody had completed two years of college and served as a police officer with the Wake Forest Police Department. Following his retirement from the force, he worked for B & W Hardware in Wake Forest.

Tragically, Woody experienced the devastating loss of his youngest daughter, Jennifer Lynn, on March 8, 1999. Jennifer, who was only 17 and in the 11th grade, died from injuries sustained in an automobile accident in Burgaw, Pender County, while on her way to visit her older sister Renee for her birthday. Her visitation and funeral were held at Bright Funeral Home, and she was laid to rest in the mausoleum at Pine Forest Memorial Gardens in Wake Forest.

Less than a year later, Lelon "Woody" Woodrow Eason Sr. died unexpectedly at home on November 28, 1999, at the age of 60. His visitation and funeral were also held at the Chapel of Bright Funeral Home, and he was buried in the mausoleum at Pine Forest Memorial Gardens.

After Woody’s passing, Brenda remained a cherished part of the Eason family and continued attending Stancil reunions with her children and grandchildren. In time, she met Gerald "Jerry" Wayne Hill, a kind and creative man who brought joy and companionship into her life.

Brenda, had been a widow since the death of Lelon Woodrow Eason, son Grover and Myrtle Stancil Eason, in 1999. Brenda met Jerry when they both attended a three-day Greensboro, North Carolina, convention.

Jerry, divorced over 10 years, lived in Lynchburg, Virginia. Jerry's welcoming smile, natural and genuine charm made a lasting impression on Brenda. Before the convention ended, they found they shared an interest in network marketing, attending conventions and traveling. They exchanged business cards.

Once at home, they began emailing and eventually calling. Jerry made a date with Brenda in Raleigh at Ruth's Chris Steak House. When he picked her up, he was wearing a suit, carrying a dozen long stemmed red roses and Brenda was stylishly dressed. They were a distinguished looking couple.

Jerry treated her royally and made a very favorable impression. The attraction was mutual and they became a twosome.

Jerry retired from the furniture business and moved to the Raleigh area. Their love grew and they were married on March 12, 2005, in the Clubhouse at Pools Grant in Hampton, Virginia, where her daughter Renee lived, with the blessings of Brenda's family; son Lee, and daughters Bianca and Merry, daughter Renee, husband David, and daughter Lauren, sister-in-laws Jean Eason LaVie and husband Al, JoAnn Eason Alexander and husband Doug. Jerry embraced Brenda's family as his own. Jerry loved his extended family, their special closeness and was welcomed as a family member.

He and Brenda journeyed to Bishopville, Maryland to celebrate Jean and Al's Golden Wedding Anniversary in January 2007. They attended Stancil Reunions and Jerry felt very much at home as he greeted so many relatives.

In June, Jerry and Brenda invited JoAnn and Doug to share a long week end with them at their Atlantic Beach, North Carolina, timeshare. Jerry and Brenda also loved the beauty and peacefulness of the North Carolina Mountains.

Jerry grew up in Kent, Ohio. Jerry served eight years in the Naval Reserves. He was also a 32nd Degree Mason. Jerry earned an engineering degree from Kent State University.

Jerry pursued a career in furniture design, taking many seminars and classes in design. He was a designer and catalogue manager at the Chervan furniture factory from 1957 to retirement in 1995. Chervan was founded in 1929 and moved to Bedford, Virginia in 1949. At one time he was a partner.

Brenda knew she could count on Jerry's support. Jerry pampered Brenda. He was a wonderful chef and insisted on cutting up fresh fruit daily for breakfast, sending Brenda off to work at the bank with a delicious lunch and had dinner ready when she arrived home.

Brenda was instrumental in Jerry reuniting with his daughter, Jennifer. Jerry and Jennifer spent the last few weeks becoming once again a loving father and daughter. Although Jerry was critically ill, on Sept. 14, he asked Jennifer, to purchase for him a particular necklace for Brenda's birthday. The morning of Brenda's birthday, Jennifer brought over the gift.

Jennifer announced, "Daddy, I have your birthday present for Brenda." Brenda opened the beautiful necklace of hearts. Jerry had asked Jennifer to tell Brenda, "This is your birthday gift."

Jerry passed away within a few hours. Reflecting on her short time with Jerry, Brenda knows they shared a blessed union and treasures their days spent together. They were filled with laughter, love and happiness.

Brenda thanks God for bringing this unique, sweet, kind, loving and unselfish man into her life.

Brenda later married Edward “Ed” Hamilton Merry on September 2, 2012, at East Hampton United Methodist Church in Hampton, Virginia. Ed, a retired pastor, continues to share in Brenda’s life and family traditions.

Woody and Brenda’s daughter, Norma Renee Eason Warren, passed away at age 49 on February 20, 2020, in Virginia.

Brenda, Ed, and Lelon Jr. continue to attend the annual Stancil Family reunions in Wilson, honoring the legacy of love, resilience, and connection that defines their family.