Ira Stanley

Ira Eugene Stanley of Fuquay Varina, North Carolina went to be with his Lord on July 21st, 2011. Ira was born on December 28th, 1937 in Shubuta, Mississippi. Ira enlisted in the Air Force and while stationed in Plattsburgh, New York, met and married the great love of his life, Sharon Wells. As a recruiter in the Air Force, Ira won many awards for ‘Recruiter of the Year’ as well as the Meritorious Service Medal.

As Ira neared retirement from the military, he and Sharon felt a calling upon their lives to start a Christian work in northern New York. Initially, the Christian work was a Bible study held in Sharon’s mother's home. Eventually, interest in the study would grow to such proportions that it became necessary to purchase a building. This building became North Country Christian Center. Ira served as pastor of NCCC for 20 years before retiring, and eventually moving to North Carolina.

Their international travels in the military helped cultivate a desire to spread the Gospel to the "ends of the earth" and led Ira and Sharon to form CMAI, Christian Ministerial Alliance International, to help churches and pastors worldwide. They had frequent mission trips to places such as the Philippines, Kenya, Russia and Vietnam.

Ira’s beloved wife Sharon predeceased him in January, 2011. Ira is survived by his daughter Deborah Nunnery of Mobile, Alabama; son, Michael of Mobile, Alabama; daughter and son-in-law, Jeff and Sherril Barnhill of Cary, North Carolina; and six grandchildren: Melissa, Steven, Brittney, Ashley, Joshua and Jake as well as two great grandchildren, several nephews, nieces, great nephews and great nieces. Affectionately known as Papa, Ira will be greatly missed by all his family and many friends.