Linda Stancil Creech

Birth Date: 04/26/1937
Deceased Date: 02/21/2025

Linda Kay Stancil Creech, age 87 of Selma, went to her eternal home to be with the Lord on February 21. She was the devoted and beloved wife of Billy Ray Creech, and an incredibly loving mother, grandmother, sister, aunt, and friend. She was a talented pianist and organist and enjoyed playing piano in church, where she witnessed for the Lord for over 70 years.

Linda was born on April 26, 1937, the daughter of Robert Lee Stancil and Thelma Starling Stancil of Selma. Linda was a native of Selma and attended Selma High School. She was a member and pianist at Selma Free Will Baptist church. During high school, Linda was an outstanding student and editor for the school paper, The Yellow Jacket. It was in high school that Linda met her “husband to be” and love of her life, Billy Ray Creech. Upon completing high school in 1955, she continued her education and graduated from Hardbarger Business College. She and Bill married, and his time in the US Navy took them to Treasure Island, California. While there, Linda was employed by Metropolitan Life Insurance Co and also played piano at Bayshore Baptist Church. After Bill’s tour of duty, Linda and Bill returned to Selma, where Linda worked as a bookkeeper and secretary at Thompson Garage and resumed playing piano at Selma Free Will Baptist church. Upon relocating to their home in rural Selma, Linda became a member of Live Oak Baptist Church, where she served as pianist and organist for over 60 years. Linda was a proud and loving mother of daughter, Angela, and son, Dean. While her children were young, she was a teacher’s assistant at Selma Elementary School. Linda remembered this time at school fondly working with her beloved cousin, teacher Julie Hinnant Jones, where they shared their appreciation of music. As her children became older, Linda worked at the NC Department of Corrections where she supported state analysts. While she originally hated to see the typewriter go, she ultimately became technically proficient and retired as a computer trainer, assisting others to learn technology.

Linda was a kind, loving, gentle soul. She was friendly to everyone and slow to anger. She exemplified an unselfish Christian spirit, putting others before herself. She had a gift of being able “to turn the other cheek” for the sake of peacefulness and maintaining relationships. She was a loving and faithful wife for 70 years and enjoyed accompanying her husband’s vocal solos and the church choir. She and Bill lived a true love story, and there was no doubt of their daily devotion to each other that lasted their entire lives. She was an incredible mother with an unending dedication and love for her children and grandchildren. She delighted in family celebrations and visits with her brother, John, and wife Angela, along with her nieces and nephews. She not only had a passion for playing the piano, but was also fond of listening to music, particularly music of the 50’s and 60’s including Johnny Mathis and Frank Sinatra. Photography of plants, pets, and her family was also a special interest.

We have lost a wonderful and cherished loved one, who leaves a huge hole in our hearts and lives forever. We ask for prayers for the surviving family for this sudden loss as they cling to the knowledge that Linda is in heaven in everlasting peace which surpasses our understanding.

Linda is survived by her husband, Billy Ray Creech, daughter, Angela Creech (Derek Saaranen), grandson, James Dean Creech (Jennifer Boone), great grandchildren, James Lee Creech, Ashlynn Creech, and Ray Creech, brother John Stancil (Angela Whitley Stancil), nieces and nephews and their families.

Linda was preceded in death by her son, Dean Ray Creech, her mother, Thelma Starling Stancil, her father, Robert Lee Stancil, and brother, Robert Lee Stancil, Jr.

A service for Linda will be held on Sunday, March 2, at Parrish Funeral Home in Selma, NC. Visitation is at 2:00, with the service to immediately follow at 3:00. Flowers may be ordered at The Town Florist in Princeton at 919-634-9845. In lieu of flowers, donations to Live Oak Baptist Church may be sent to 1555 Live Oak Church Road, Selma, NC 27576 or Venmo to Lori-bass-1971, (last four of phone number is 6872.)