On March 6, 2026, heaven gained another flower for its beautiful garden, Stanley Edward Wilson. Stanley was born February 24, 1938, to Otis Wilson and Sarah Nottingham. Ms. Sarah once said, “when you’re old and drinking tea, burn your lips and think of me”. Now when we burn our lips, we will think of both Sarah and her only child Stanley.

Stanley attended school in Northampton County, VA. He was a gentle soul who always had a kind smile and warm hug or handshake to greet you. “Big Stanley” and the love of his life, Carolyn Estella Graves-Wilson united and as an only child, he also joined & became one with his wife’s big family that included her seven siblings as well as a lot of cousins. Without complaint,
Stanley worked long and hard hours for many, many years driving agricultural tractors and combine harvesters for G. L. Webster Farming Factory which eventually became Kane-Miller Corporation. He later also worked doing the same for almost a decade in Elizabeth City, NC. Where there is true love, a family tree grows -- together, Carolyn & Stanley loved, nourished, and nurtured four sons, Little Stanley, Amp, Ed and Hillary. Like many families on the Eastern Shore, they made the best of a little of nothing for their boys and made it feel like something! Through their hard work and dedication, Stanley and Carolyn successfully raised those four boys to become strong, healthy, capable men!

Stanley leaves to cherish his memories, sons Stanley Graves/Barbara, Anthony Graves (deceased)/Estelle, Edward Graves/Yolande and Hillary Graves; his wife’s surviving siblings who he loved like they were his own, Joseph Gray/Annie Lee (deceased), Mary Smith/Tucker (deceased), Helen Crawford/Willie Lee (deceased), Dorothy Watson/Earl, a host of dearly loved grandchildren, nieces, nephews and cousins including cousin Thelma Nottingham, his dear friends, William C. Spady, Tony Gray, George “Tally” Allen and Kenneth Heyward. In addition to being proceeded in death by his wife, mother, and son Anthony, Stanley was also proceeded in death by a very close cousin George Nottingham. That reunion in Glory that awaited Stanley might be a bigger party than we will have here in repass to celebrate Stanley Edward Wilson! Celebrating a life well lived!!