Norma Ethel Stancil Moore

Born: June 1, 1921 Johnston County, NC

Died: Dec. 15, 2001 Rocky Mount, NC

Buried: Pineview Cemetery, Rocky Mount, NC

Married: Randolph Moore in 1939

Janet Moore Marsh, Bonnie Marsh, Donna Moore, Norma Stancil Moore and DeLanie Stancil.
Courtesy Stancil Family Reunion Archive

Norma Ethel Stancil, the eldest child of the Rev. Julius Nevell Stancil and Delanie Ethel Stancil Stanci, was born on June 1, 1921, in Johnston, North Carolina.

Growing up, Norma was known for her meticulous house-cleaning skills, a duty that wasn't often shared with her younger, "spoiled" sister Reba.

Affectionately called "Little Norma" by her cousin Harvey, she completed her high school education at Rocky Mount High School.

Randolph Moore, born on October 30, 1916, in Pender County, North Carolina, was the son of Sylvester Willard Moore and Ivey Banham. His early life was rooted in farming on his family's Canetuck farm in Pender County. By the 1930 Census, his father, a coach repairman for the railroad, had relocated the family to Rocky Mount, Nash County, North Carolina.

Randolph Moore served in the Army from 1936 to 1937.

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Randolph graduated from Benvenue School in Rocky Mount and attended Atlantic Christian College for two years, with a period of service in the U.S. Army from 1936 to 1937, where he received an honorable discharge.

It was in Rocky Mount that Norma and Randolph's paths intertwined. In his early 20s, Randolph, a dark-haired, green-eyed, and fair-complexioned teenager, sat on the front porch of the Calvary Baptist Church parsonage. She flashed him a smile that captivated him, making him think, "That girl can be mine." Their connection deepened through exchanged smiles across church pews, with Norma's mother, Delanie, encouraging her to "Smile at Randolph." Norma, who used scented talcum powder instead of perfume, initially had a crush on another congregation member, Arnold Hollingsworth.

However, her father, Pastor Nevell Stancil, favored Randolph's prospects, given his father's railroad work and large farm. Randolph, persistent in his courtship, even defused a potential fistfight over Norma with another suitor. He would borrow his father's car for double-dates, though Norma would later playfully hint about his "other girlfriend" after their dates, an allegation Randolph never confirmed. Randolph, not initially ready to settle down, changed his mind after meeting Norma and experiencing her captivating smile.

Norma and Randolph married secretly, a fact discovered by Reba who used it to "blackmail" Norma into doing her chores. Their union was blessed with two daughters: Roslyn Janet, born on March 10, 1940, and Donna Christie, born on December 16, 1949. Their marriage would last for 62 years.

Randolph's career was primarily with the railroad. He worked as a locomotive fireman and engineer for the Atlantic Coast Line, Seaboard Coast Line, and CSX Corporation. He also owned timberland in Pender County, selling trees, a small portion of land, and leasing a buffer to the Long Bluff Hunt Club.

Norma, a talented homemaker, excelled in various domestic arts. She loved to garden, cultivating a formal garden and nurturing a pink rose rooted from her mother Eva Mercer Stancil's plant. She also enjoyed knitting and embroidering beautiful framed pictures. Her taste in decorating was impeccable; her living room could have graced the pages of Better Homes and Gardens, a magazine she subscribed to for decades and regarded as a household bible for recipes, decor, and gardening. Her favorite color was blue. She also enjoyed decorating with sterling silverware, owning "Towle," the very best, which she meticulously polished monthly. Norma also took up knitting and shared this hobby with her daughter Janet.

Despite managing a home, Norma held several part-time jobs over the years. During World War II, she briefly worked in an office for the U.S. Army in Wilmington when Janet was very young, returning to Rocky Mount at Randolph's insistence. In her early 20s, she also worked briefly at Rocky Mount Mills. From 1955-1956, she studied business at the Carolina School of Commerce in Rocky Mount through the Armstrong Project. She then worked part-time at the Rocky Mount Housing Authority, at Montgomery Ward & Co., Incorporated, and Sears Roebuck and Co.

Norma Stancil with Ralph Stancil at the George Ira Stancil Homestead in the 1960s. — Norma Stancil with Ralph Stancil at the George Ira Stancil Homestead in Kenly, N.C., in the 1960s.
Courtesy Stancil Family Reunion Archive

In the 1970s or 1980s, she worked part-time in Belk-Tyler Company's layaway and automobile repair departments. These jobs typically lasted about a year, as she found combining homemaking and work challenging, especially after major surgery. She was not much of a "joiner" but was active in the Parent Teacher Association, served as a grade mother, and collected for the March of Dimes.

Early in their marriage, Norma meticulously prepared Randolph's lunchbox and ensured his work clothes were clean and pressed, sometimes sending uniforms to the cleaner. She did not have a washing machine until Janet gifted her one in 1962, relying on an old-fashioned washing board. When Donna was a small child, Norma would wash Randolph's work clothes and hang them on the clothesline, using frames for his work pants to lessen the ironing. Later, Randolph and Donna would visit a nearby laundromat. Norma preferred the kitchen to be her domain for most cooking, making snacks like pulled taffy and buttered popcorn with her daughters. Randolph, who always said he didn't want to "scab on the cook," only started cooking in the family home after Norma was diagnosed with cancer, a revelation to her, despite having cooked for the children at the beach previously.

The family cherished yearly vacations, with Norma particularly loving the mountains and Kure Beach near Wilmington, where they often rented the same quaint cottage for walks and fishing. She also enjoyed Atlantic Beach. Norma carefully protected her skin, keeping herself covered to maintain a porcelain-white complexion, a habit learned in her youth.

In 1949, Randolph, having saved money for several years, purchased a new blue Chevy with cash, a source of great pride for the family. Later, he was equally proud of his Ford LTD, which was unfortunately totaled when a pine tree fell lengthwise on it during a small tornado.

Randolph and Norma Stancil Moore at Parker's Barbecue in the 1980s in Wilson, North Carolina. — Randolph and Norma Stancil Moore at Parker's Barbecue in the 1980s in Wilson, North Carolina
Courtesy Stancil Family Reunion Archive

Norma was diagnosed with myeloma in 2000. Although initial treatment was successful, the cancer returned in August 2001. Norma, after undergoing chemotherapy, opted against further treatment, knowing the difficult path ahead. She expressed conflicting desires to live longer to see her grandchildren and great-grandchildren grow, and at other times, a readiness to pass on. Hospice care was initiated in October. Norma passed away at home in Rocky Mount, North Carolina, on December 15, 2001, at the age of 80. Her funeral was held at Johnson's Funeral Home in Rocky Mount, with Randy Austen, Youth Minister of Calvary Baptist Church, likely officiating. Before her passing, Norma discussed with Janet the wig she wished to wear and chose a blue brocaded dress for her burial, telling Janet to put away a new pair of slippers, as they were "too pretty to wear" and should be for her burial. After her death, Janet discovered an anonymous letter with $20, thanking Norma for a loan and noting a turn for the better in the sender's life. Norma was buried in Pineview Cemetery in Rocky Mount, North Carolina.

Randolph Moore with daughters Donna Pageant and Janet Winkler. Janet's husband Ed is in the back.
Courtesy Stancil Family Reunion Archive

After Norma's death, Randolph moved in with Janet's family in Fort Walton Beach, Florida, in 2004, having been married to Norma for 62 years. He attended several Stancil Family Reunions in North Carolina, always excited to see members of the George Ira Branch.

He experienced congestive heart failure in September 2006. Randolph continued to attend family reunions, with his last being in 2008, accompanied by Janet, Donna, and Ed. An avid reader, dedicated gardener, gleeful swimmer, and fisherman, he also enjoyed attending Railroad Old-Timers' dinners and Democratic Party functions.

Randolph passed away on December 18, 2009, in Fort Walton Beach, Florida, at the age of 93. He was laid to rest in Pineview Cemetery in Rocky Mount, North Carolina, beside Norma. Through Janet, he had 14 great-grandchildren and a great-great-grandchild, and through Donna, four great-grandchildren.

Randolph was remembered for his friendly smile, kind words, and genuine interest in family members, whose gatherings he dearly enjoyed.

— Based on memories of Janet Moore Winkler and Donna Moore Padgett

Dec. 18, 2009

Randolph Moore dies at 93

Oct. 30, 1916-Dec. 18, 2009

FORT WALTON BEACH, FL - Randolph Moore, 93, husband of the late Norma Stancil Moore, George branch, died Dec. 18, 2009, in Fort Walton Beach, Fla. He was the father of Janet Winkler of Fort Walton Beach and Donna Padgett of Rocky Mount, NC. He is also survived by son-in-law Ed Winkler, Janet's husband.

Randolph was a retired locomotive fireman and engineer for the Atlantic Coast Line, Seaboard Coast Line, and CSX Corporation. Randolph owned timberland in Pender County, selling trees and a little land, and leasing a buffer to the Long Bluff Hunt Club.

Born in Pender County Oct. 30, 1916, he first lived on his family's Canetuck farm. He then worked on his family's next farm in Nash County, where his father relocated to work in the railroad shops. A graduate of Benvenue School in Rocky Mount, he attended Atlantic Christian College two years. In between he served in the U.S. Army in 1936-37.

Randolph married Norma Ethel Stancil, daughter of pastor at Calvary Baptist Church in Rocky Mount, J. N. Stancil. Norma was daughter of Delanie Stancil (George Branch). Since 2004, he resided with Janet's family in Fort Walton Beach.

Randolph was an avid reader, a dedicated gardener, a gleeful swimmer, and a fisherman as a pastime and for dinner. He enjoyed attending Railroad Old-Timers' dinners and Democratic Party functions.

His grandchildren are Janet's children, Bonnie Martin, of Griffin, Georgia; Michael Brooks, of Culpepper, Virginia; Randy Marsh of Fort Walton Beach; and Sara Harrell, of Griffin, Georgia; and Donna's son, Barry Padgett, of Plano, Texas. Through Janet, he has 14 great-grandchildren and a great-great-grandchild, and through Donna, four great-grandchildren.

The visitation is Tuesday, Dec. 29, 2009, from 7 to 8:30 p.m. at Wheeler & Woodlief Funeral Home, 1130 N. Winstead Rd., Rocky Mount, NC 27804. The funeral is Wednesday, Dec. 30, 2009, at 1:30 p.m. at the funeral home. Flowers will be accepted or a memorial may be made to Hospice and Palliative Care of Nash General Hospital. He will rest in Pineview Cemetery. Online condolences may be made to the Family of Randolph Moore at www.wheelerwoodlief.com.

— Written by Donna Moore Padgett, daughter of Randolph and Norma Stancil Moore

Mother's Obsession with Blue

Donna Moore Padgett shared these memories of her mom's love of blue:

Donna Moore Padgett

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While people typically have a favorite color, Mother had an obsession with blue, especially Wedgewood blue. In my early childhood years, Janet, Daddy, and I were depressed by the dingy-appearing blue paint in our living and dining rooms on Old Wilson Road. The first dining room table and chairs I remember were painted a lighter shade. (These were removed to my consternation when I was nearing kindergarten-age. Where were we going to eat? Mahogany-stained dining room furniture replaced them, alleviating the blue in the house.) Yet, when we sat down, we ate off Wedgewood-style dishes. When Mother had shattered enough of these, hand-washing dishes or handling them, Mother bought a new and slightly different Wedgewood-style set after I had left home, but, of course, Mother served meals on these dishes when family visited.

Mother didn't just think blue should be on furniture, walls, dishes, and replacement carpet, once Mother and Daddy moved to Northgreen. As is true of Daddy's branch of the Moores, I had blue eyes, though they're really blue-green, probably because Mother's eyes were, surprise, green—bright and terrifyingly green when she was angry—and my eyes will look whichever of these colors that I wear. I appreciated having eyes that ranged in color from blue through blue-green to green by my late teenage years and was as likely to wear the other shades as blue.

But don't think Mother dressed me in green. While I remember a cute but scratchy white organdy Christmas dress with candy-cane red stripes, a beautiful Peaches 'n Cream peach flower-patterned organdy-over-taffeta Easter and first-grade graduation dress, and a comfy pink cotton Easter dress with a smocked pastel-flower embroidered bodice, the majority of my childhood clothes were blue. There was a scratchy, curly teal wool coat with leggings that actually matched my eyes, but I was too short then to know or care. I disliked the unusual color. Another comfy blue cotton dress I enjoyed wearing—in fact, Mother dressed me in it often—but the shade was dull. One Easter I wore a dress with a white bodice and a navy checked skirt and matching navy checked jacket. With it all on, it appeared that I was wearing a navy-checked suit. The Easter bunny had left me a corsage with a pink carnation and pipe cleaners bent into bunny ears, blue tipped pins for eyes, pink netting in the background, and a blue bow. Only this corsage brightened the darkness of my outfit, accessorized with shoes and a purse in black patent leather. My cousin, nine months younger, arrived at Grandmother's in a pink suit, a warm contrast with her brown hair and eyes. I was envious. I was a girl. Everybody knows girls wear pink—except Mother. She said blue brought out the blue in my eyes. I guess a viewer could appreciate that, but the wearer didn't.

Don't think that Mother's obsession with blue clothing ended when I outgrew childhood. If I didn't advise her differently, chances are, any clothing she bought for me later would be blue. Some of it was pretty, like a light blue nylon gown and robe in my teens and a navy nylon gown and fleece robe in my thirties. A light aqua outfit was too pale with my fair skin and dark hair in my early forties, though. From my earliest childhood blue as Mother's color choice was predictable.

Mother and Daddy had various cars over the years. Their first was a '49 Chevy, dark blue. Mother's favorite was a 1990's Buick Century—a metallic medium blue. When they shopped for a new car, Mother dismissed a dealer's stock because of a lack of chrome. The dealer got in a model decked out in chrome—and blue. Mother and Daddy had decided not to buy at the time, though, so a car ordered to match her preferences never came into her possession.

She picked out a coffin in light metallic blue with a lot of chrome, though. Janet and Daddy thought we should get a cheaper model. We were using her money, and she had picked out the coffin, which would complement the lace blue clothes she also had picked out to be buried in. I said, "Let her have what she wanted." I thought her spirit would rest easier in the afterlife (and I wanted her to rest easily) if she went out in chrome and blue. Mother couldn't get enough blue.

Written by Donna Moore Padgett
Norma Stancil Moore's daughter