​SSGT. (Ret.) Earl T. Stanley

SSGT Earl Thomas Stanley, 77, of Wake Forest passed on to his heavenly home on October 4, 2016. He was born in Angier, N.C. to the late Joseph Earl Stanley and Bettie Mae O’Brient Stanley. He was preceded in death by his first wife Linda, two sisters, Avar S. McLean and Vernell Ray and nine brothers, Paul, Colon, Arley, Carley, James, Dorsey, Bobby, Harold and Franklin.

A memorial service was held at 2 o'clock, Saturday afternoon, October 15, 2016 at New Life Church, 6900 Zebulon Rd, Wake Forest, NC. Pastor Ron Brisson officiated.

He is survived by his wife, Jean Hocutt Stanley; son, Danny D. Stanley (Pam) of Coats, N.C.; daughters, Sharon S. Weaver of Coats, N.C. and Melinda S. Beacham of Long, S.C.; stepson, Fernie Todd Taylor (Catherine) of Clayton, N.C.; seven grandchildren, Danita W. Radcliffe (Michael) of Dunn, NC, Elizabeth Weaver Sanchez (Jose) of Angier, NC, Debra W. Coats (Josh) of Coats, NC, Tiffany S. Williams (William) of Angier, NC, Brittany S. Hall (Adam) of Dunn, NC, T. L. Hutchinson and Aaron Beacham; two step-grandchildren, Cara Taylor of Clayton, NC and Callie Boyd of Clayton, NC and ten great-grandchildren, Olivia Radcliffe, Michaela Radcliffe, Javier Sanchez, Adilene Sanchez, Catherine Coats, Emma Williams, Charlie Williams, Chase Williams, Ellie Williams and Cayla Wilson .

Mr. Stanley quit school and joined the U.S. Army at the age of 16. After 20+ years of active duty with the Army, he returned home where he spent the next 9+ years in the army reserves. He later graduated from Hardbarger’s Business College.

He served in the U.S. Army as a (special forces) green beret and did three different tours in Vietnam. He was an enlisted soldier and he retired from the Army with 30 years of duty in 1985.

During his years of service, he received many military medals and commendations which included National Defense Service Medal, Parachutist Badge, Combat Infantryman Badge, Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal (Korea), Master Parachutist Badge, Republic of Vietnam Campaign Medal, Army Commendation Medal, Vietnam Service Medal w/1 silver and 1 Bronze Service Star, Meritorious Unit Commendation, Bronze Star Medal w/1 Oak Leaf Cluster, Vietnamese Cross of Gallantry w/Palm, Vietnamese Master Parachutist Badge, Good Conduct Medal Clasp, Bronze Star and 5 Loops.

Mr. Stanley was a life member of the VFW-Veterans of Foreign Wars and was an active member of the organization until his declining health prevented him from participating in the activities.

Earl was a frequent patron of the Rolesville Café and he loved everyone. There are a few special people in his life that he would want the family to mention, Earle and Janice Jeffrods, Cleo Eddins, Shirley Barefoot, Minnie Daniels, Sharon(waitress) and Jeff the owner of the Rolesville Café, Eunice Cater, Nancy and Charles Bennett and Judy and Jimmy Gay. He will be missed by those who knew him.

A very, very special thank you goes to Frances and Harold Barnes, Lynn Joyner, Pam Sides, Najla and Wade Carlton for the assistance that was given during his years of illness and also a very special thanks to Elizabeth Carlton and her therapy dog Shrimp for the visits they made during Earl’s illness. Also a very big thank you to his part time care givers Nina Sherrod and Brenda Bailey who gave time for his wife to get out of the house for short periods of time.

Also the family wants to thank all that visited him during his illness; friends, family and especially his church family. He will be greatly missed by his family and friends.

A very special thanks goes to the staff of Gentiva Hospice of Oxford, N.C. Those that were special to Earl’s care were Brittany, Pamela, Elaine, Lisa, Kathy and Chaplin Mike.

In lieu of flowers, donations are to be made in Earl’s memory to New Life Church, P.O. Box 459, Rolesville, NC 27571.

A service of Clancy Strickland Wheeler Funeral Home and Cremation Service, 1051 Durham Road, Wake Forest, NC 27587.(919)556-7400
www.cswfuneralhome.com

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