Mrs. Gracie M Stanley

Mrs. Gracie M. Stanley, daughter of the late Willis Boatwright and Bertha Eagles Boatwright, was born in Horry County on May 8, 1926.  She received her early education in the public schools of Horry County and graduated from Whittemore High School as Salutatorian of her class in 1945.  At her death, she was one of the oldest living graduates of Whittemore and often provided valuable information to inquisitive researchers regarding the history and legacy of her dear alma mater. 

In April, 1947, Mrs. Stanley married the love of her life, Mr. Ethell Stanley, and to this union, two children were born; Patricia Lynese Stanley and Henry Ronald Stanley.  In 1954, the Stanley family moved to Conway, South Carolina and joined Cherry Hill Missionary Baptist Church in 1955.  Mrs. Stanley was a loving, faithful and dedicated member of Cherry Hill for 69 years.  She was a Deaconess at Cherry Hill for 54 years; a member of the Missionary Society for more than 60 years, where she served as president for 25 of those years; Vacation Bible School directress for 25 years; directress of the Sunbeams Youth Ministry and directress of the Youth Ushers Ministry.  Mrs. Stanley served for more than a decade as Chair of the Church Kitchen Committee and more than a decade as Coordinator of the Church’s Thanksgiving Day Meals on Wheels Ministry.  She was a volunteer worker at the Cherry Hill Samaritan House and was a dedicated member of the Church School Senior Adult Class and a faithful tribal member of the Issachar Tribe.  She served as the Mother of Cherry Hill Missionary Baptist Church for the last 12 years of her life. 

Mrs. Stanley was employed by the Horry County Council on Aging for 32 years where she served as a receptionist and as In-Home Service Supervisor. 

Awards received by Mrs. Stanley during her 98 years of life include the Clemson Extension Home Demonstration Club Family of the Year Award; The 1990 Cherry Hill Missionary Baptist Church Mother of the Year Award; and, Dedicated Service Awards from the Idealistic Club, Omega Psi Phi Fraternity and The Horry County Council on Aging.

Mrs. Gracie Stanley was preceded in death by her husband of 48 years, Deacon Ethell Stanley; her daughter, Patricia Stanley Lane; her grandson, Craig C. Stanley and, her son-in-law, Samuel Lane.  She leaves to cherish her loving memory her son, Attorney H. Ronald Stanley and her daughter-in-law, Rita Laney Stanley, of Columbia, SC; her three grandsons, Henri Stanley of Atlanta, Georgia, Attorney Mark B. Stanley of Columbia, SC, and LaRhue  Lane of Charlotte, NC; her four great grandchildren, Courtlyn Michelle Stanley, Cameron Mark Stanley, Gabriel Lux Stanley and Chloe Milan Stanley; her grand daughters-in-law, Christine Okoye Stanley and Brittney Hughes Stanley.  She also leaves her special cousin and caregiver, Mary Evelyn Burroughs, and her husband, Ronald Burroughs; her faithful cousin, Franklin Eagles, and her devoted caregivers, Susie Owens and Joanna McKeithan.  She also leaves a host of nieces, nephews and other sorrowful relatives and friends.

TO GOD BE THE GLORY FOR A LIFE WELL LIVED.

To send flowers to the family, please visit our floral store.