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Up ] Theo. Abernathy ] Stewart Dellinger ] Dr. Fesperman ] James Forrester ] Ralph Handsel ] [ Russell Handsel ] Glenn Rhyne ] John Roseboro ] Paul Shook ] Robert Shook ] Arnold C. Taylor ] Dr. Weathers, Jr. ] Dr.Weathers, Sr. ]

Citizens

Russell and Lila Huggins Handsel

Russell and Lila Handsel around 1960

Born on 20 February 1899, into a Stanley area pioneer family, Russell Handsel, was the 6th child of the 9 children of Dora Isabell McGinnis and Sidney Daniel Handsel.

The family farm on which Russell grew up was about two miles from the center of town, out on the Mariposa Road. His grandfather, John P. Hansel, bought the land from George Tate and built the federal style two story house in 1877 in which Russell's father, Sidney, later reared his family.

After serving in the Army just after World War I, Russell returned home, settled down and on 14 August 1926 he married Lila Gertrude Huggins, the daughter of Margaret Elizabeth Summey and Henry McClure Huggins. Lila grew up in the Hardin, NC area.

The couple made their home in a two story house on the north end of Stanley where Russell owned and operated a grocery store. The first store building was the typical small country-type store, but sometime in the late 1940's Russell built Stanley's first self-service grocery, a brick building, back behind the original store. He continued in that business until his retirement. During the 40 years as a grocer, Mr. Handsel often gave groceries to those in need and unable to pay, especially during the depression and war years. He allowed others to buy groceries on credit. All who knew him considered him a kind and gentle person.

Many people in town, (customers, friends and family) remember every year receiving Christmas and Birthday cards from Russell Handsel.

Russell and Lila Handsel were longtime members of the Stanley Methodist Church. For many years Lila was a Sunday School teacher. Russell was Church Superintendent of Sunday School for twenty five years and was on the church finance committee. His duties also included printing the church newsletter as well as any other needed work.

Among his civic duties, Russell Handsel was an alderman on the town council for several years, a charter member of the Stanley Lion's Club, a charter member of Stanley's Masons, Chairman for the March of Dimes for 15 years, and a Chairman of the Stanley School Board for 16 years, prior to school consolidation with the county.

Lila Huggins Handsel who was born on 6 Aug. 1897, died 11 April 1966. Russell died on 6 December 1985. They are both buried beside their two sons, Jack and Richard, in Stanley Cemetery.

 

Up Theo. Abernathy Stewart Dellinger Dr. Fesperman James Forrester Ralph Handsel Russell Handsel Glenn Rhyne John Roseboro Paul Shook Robert Shook Arnold C. Taylor Dr. Weathers, Jr. Dr.Weathers, Sr.

 

 

 


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