Van Dow STAFFORD
1907-1992
Van Dow Stafford
of
Gainesboro, Tennessee
Jackson County
Photo uploaded by his granddaughter
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Van's son, (my father) P.J. STAFFORD 1932-2012
Van's son, (my father) P.J. STAFFORD 1932-2012
was the 1st husband (marriage record) of my mother,
Doris Ann (TIDWELL)
Timmy Lee STAFFORD 1966-2004
__________________________
Van Dow Stafford 1907-1992 Obituary
Van was born on Feb 2 1907 in Gainesboro, Jackson County, Tennessee. He passed away at his daughter's (Jean (Stafford) Ashley) home in Opelika, Lee County, Alabama on July 28 1992 at the age of 85. Burial: Pharris Cemetery in Gainesboro, Jackson County, Tennessee.
His wife was Ethel (Biggs) Stafford who was born in 1909. She passed away in 1983 in Gainesboro, Jackson County, Tennessee. Burial: Pharris Cemetery in Gainesboro, Jackson County, Tennessee
Van Stafford's parents:
William Riley Stafford 1881–1955 and Celina Avo (Stafford) Stafford 1885–1982 of Gainesboro, Jackson County, Tennessee. Burial: Pharris Cemetery in Gainesboro, Jackson County, Tennessee.
(A Note)
William Riley Stafford and Celina Avo Stafford are first cousins.
Celina's father(Ross Stafford 1867–1907) is the full sibling of William Riley's mother (Martha J (Stafford) Stafford 1861–1910.) Martha has her maiden name on her marriage record as Stafford and then on the mid/lower part of the record, has it as Harris.
(Another Note)
My grandfather( Van ) told me about an argument/fight that broke out between both of his grandfathers(maternal: Ross Stafford 1867-1907 and paternal: Lorenzo Dow Stafford Sr. 1858–1940) that ended up with Lorenzo stabbing Ross. Ross died a couple of weeks later due to an infection from the wound. My grandfather and some of the other elders in the family told me that Lorenzo had felt bad about it and stayed by Ross's side until he died. The fight was due to them being drunk and having a disagreement about one of their moonshine still and the amount of stolen moonshine. Newspaper clippings/story:
(Another Note)
My grandfather( Van ) told me about an argument/fight that broke out between both of his grandfathers(maternal: Ross Stafford 1867-1907 and paternal: Lorenzo Dow Stafford Sr. 1858–1940) that ended up with Lorenzo stabbing Ross. Ross died a couple of weeks later due to an infection from the wound. My grandfather and some of the other elders in the family told me that Lorenzo had felt bad about it and stayed by Ross's side until he died. The fight was due to them being drunk and having a disagreement about one of their moonshine still and the amount of stolen moonshine. Newspaper clippings/story:
Nashville Banner
17 May 1907, Fri · Page 10
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Van Stafford's siblings:
--- Willie Cordell Stafford 1911-1969 - died in Detriot, Wayne County, Michigan - The Detriot Free Press newspaper states that the funeral was at the Hammond-Haas Funeral Home (now called Fisher Funeral Home) on Five Mile Rd, in Redford Township, 48239. Burial is unknown at this time, as of 2/4/2024.
--- Vilvie (Stafford) Elkins 1913–1986 Burial: Pharris Cemetery in Gainesboro, Jackson County, Tennessee
--- Roscoe Stafford 1923–1957 Burial: Pharris Cemetery in Gainesboro, Jackson County, Tennessee
--- Hattie May (Stafford) Martin 1914-1943 - burial: Pharris Cemetery, Gainesboro, Jackson County, TN- unmarked grave
--- Wade Lovell Stafford 1917 – 1940 - burial: Pharris Cemetery, Gainesboro, Jackson County, TN- unmarked grave.
--- Averette Stafford 1915–1982 Burial: Pharris Cemetery in Gainesboro, Jackson County, Tennessee.
*A Note to Ward off Confusion About the Family Tree*
Averette was also the father-in-law of Van's son, P.J. "Pete" Stafford 1932-2012. Pete's 3rd wife, Brenda Joyce (Stafford) Stafford 1946–2019 was the daughter of Averette. There were other 1st cousins' marriages in this Stafford family line.
Averette's other daughter, Mabel Irene (Stafford) Stafford 1938-2010 married her 2nd cousin 1x removed, Roger Lee Stafford 1935-2000. Roger's paternal grandmother, Frances Isabell (Stafford) Stafford 1972-1949 is the sister of Mabel's great-grandfather, Lorenzo Dow Stafford Sr. 1958-1940.
--- Versie Lou (Stafford) Davidson 1920–1939 Burial: Pharris Cemetery in Gainesboro, Jackson County, Tennessee
--- Monedith (Stafford) "Tootsie" Huffines 1932–1980 Burial: Pharris Cemetery in Gainesboro, Jackson County, Tennessee
--- Frank Tensley Stafford 1909–1992 (Frank died a month after Van) Burial: Tuttle Cemetery in Sumner County, Tennessee
(At the time of Van's death)
Survivors include his Sons: P.J "Pete" Stafford of Old Hickory, TN, Freeman Stafford of Gainesboro, TN, Woody "Buddy" Stafford of Antioch, TN, and Ronnie Stafford of Joelton, TN.
His Daughters: Rhoda (Stafford) Williams of Pleasant View, TN, Lucille (Stafford) Stanley of Joelton, TN, and Jean (Stafford) Ashley of Opelika, Alabama.
Two of his grandchildren that he and his wife, Ethel, raised:
Timmy Lee Stafford and Tammy Jean (Stafford) Neely --- (now Tammy (Stafford) Bellflower) and a slew of other grandchildren & great-grandchildren.
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(Since Van's death)
The grandson he raised: Timmy Lee Stafford 1966-2004 Burial: Garden Hills Cemetery in Opelika, Lee County, Alabama
Sons: P.J. "Pete Stafford 1932–2012 Burial: Pharris Cemetery in Gainesboro, Jackson County, Tennessee
Laurence Freeman Stafford 1935–2014 Burial: Pharris Cemetery in Gainesboro, Jackson County, Tennessee
Woody "Buddy" Stafford 1940–2013 Burial: Hudgins Cemetery in Fairview, Williamson County, Tennessee
Daughters: Lucille (Stafford) Stanley 1944–2013 Burial: Roselawn Memorial Gardens in Murfreesboro, Rutherford County, Tennessee
Jean (Stafford) Ashley 1931–2005 Burial: Garden Hills Cemetery in Opelika, Lee County, Alabama
Rhoda Mae (Stafford) Williams 1928–2013 Burial: Hermitage Memorial Gardens in Old Hickory, Davidson County, Tennessee
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As of today's date: Jan 4, 2024
Van's son, Ronnie Stafford (living)
and
Granddaughter (daughter of P.J. "Pete" Stafford 1932-2012)
raised by Van, Tammy Jean (Stafford) Bellflower (living).
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*Another Note*
3 children of Van and Ethel died:
One (female), during birth, (while Ethel was very sick and out-of-it (off and on) with a high fever)
and
One (D. L.), Died, after a week old
and
One(Ella Vergie), around 6 yrs old (stomach virus/flu)
I do not know where the children's burial site is. I remember my grandparents talking often of being sad that there ended up being a road built over the children's gravesites.
UPDATE 3/19/2022
My Uncle Ronnie stated that the children's gravesites are at the back of Pharris Cemetery where a road goes over. It's unknown where the exact locations are because of that.
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| Van D. Stafford and Dora Ethel (Biggs) Stafford of Gainesboro, Tennessee Jackson County Photo uploaded by their granddaughter Tammy Stafford-Bellflower |
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| left to right My paternal grandfather, Van Dow Stafford & (baby) Linda Dorene (Stafford) -still living- she's my double first cousin. Her father Woody(everyone called him Buddy) and my father, P.J. "Pete" Stafford 1932-2012 are brothers. Her mom, Linda, and my mom, Doris Ann (Tidwell) are sisters. & My maternal grandfather, William Colie Tidwell 1916-1994 Dorene's parents: Woody W Stafford 1940-2013 (Van's son) and Linda Sue (Tidwell) -still living (William Colie's daughter) Photo uploaded by Tammy Stafford-Bellflower |
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| Van Dow Stafford and Ethel (Biggs) Stafford of Gainesboro, Tennessee Jackson County Photo uploaded by the granddaughter who they raised Tammy Stafford-Bellflower |
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| My paternal great-grandfather, William Riley "Will" Stafford 1881-1955 holding his son(my grandfather who raised me) Van Dow Stafford. & My paternal great-grandmother, Celina Avo (Stafford) Stafford 1885-1982 holding her son Frank Tensley Stafford 1909-1992 Place: Gainesboro, Tennessee Jackson County Photo uploaded by Tammy Stafford-Bellflower |
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| (back) left to right My paternal aunt, Rhoda Mae (Stafford) 1928-2013 My paternal great-aunt, Vilvie (Stafford) Elkins 1913-1986 My paternal aunt, Jean (Stafford) 1931-2005 -note about the photo- Some people in the family have disputed that it is Vilvie in the photo. It IS Vilvie. I was raised by Vilvie's brother and grew up seeing these pictures and talking about them with my paternal grandparents, and Aunt Vilvie...and they always said that is her in the photo. My Aunt Jean used to talk about this photo and about her Aunt Vilvie being in it with her. (front) left to right My paternal 1st cousin 1x removed, Elbert Lee Stafford 1933-2022 & My paternal great-great-grandfather, Lorenzo Dow Stafford Sr. 1858-1940 (sitting in the chair) & My father, P.J. "Pete" Stafford 1932-2012 Photo uploaded by Tammy Stafford-Bellflower (A Note about Cora (Ethel's mom), Woody (Ethel's father), and Lorenzo Dow Sr. (Van's grandfather.) Cora Liza (Rush) Biggs and Woody C. Biggs were divorced at one time - Cora married her son-in-law's (Van) grandfather, Lorenzo Dow Stafford Sr. 1858–1940, and had children from that marriage - later, Cora and Woody remarried. Woody had married two other times and had children from those marriages. Woody also had other children Out of Wedlock. ------------------------------------ |
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| left to right My paternal great-grandmother, Celina Avo (Stafford) Stafford 1885-1982 & My paternal great-aunt, Vilvie (Stafford) Elkins 1913-1986 & My paternal grandfather, Van Dow Stafford 1907-1992 & My paternal great-uncle, Frank Tinsley Stafford 1909-1992 Place: This was at Vilvie's home where her mom Celina was living, and Harlen Van Elkins 1948-1979(Vilvie's son) was also living there. Place: 335 W Gipson Ave Gainesboro, Tennessee Jackson County Photo uploaded by Tammy Stafford-Bellflower |
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| My paternal aunt, Jean (Stafford) Ashley 1931-2005 & My paternal grandfather, Van Dow Stafford Place: Gainesboro, Tennessee Jackson County Photo uploaded by Van's granddaughter Tammy Stafford-Bellflower |
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| Van Dow Stafford with his sons left to right Laurence Freeman Stafford 1935-2014 & Woody W Stafford 1940-2013 & My father, P.J. "Pete" Stafford 1932-2012 Place: Gainesboro, Tennessee Jackson County Photo uploaded by Tammy Stafford-Bellflower |
Links (photos & genealogy/memorial sites)
P.J. "Pete" Stafford on Find a Grave (Van's son) & P.J. "Pete" Stafford / Stafford-Tidwell Family Tree
(father of Frieta (Stafford) from his first marriage to Edith Evelyn (Dillard); Edith, with some help from her mom, raised Frieta on her own)
(father of Timmy Lee Stafford 1966-2004 and Tammy (Stafford) Bellflower from his marriage to 2nd wife, Doris (Tidwell)
(father of "Private" Stafford (see Pete's original published Obit) with his 3rd wife/1st cousin, Brenda Joyce (Stafford) Stafford 1946-2019.
Timmy Lee Stafford on Find a Grave (grandson raised by Van) & Timmy Lee Stafford - We Remember website & Timmy Lee Stafford- WikiTree & Timmy Lee Stafford - BillionGraves - largest resource for searchable GPS cemetery data & Timmy Lee Stafford / Stafford-Tidwell Family Tree
Obituary notice for the granddaughter of Van and Ethel,
Obituary notice for the niece of Van and Ethel,
Mabel Lou (Stafford) Mooneyhan-Wheet 1935 - 2022:
daughter of Frank Tensley Stafford and Willie Flossie (Biggs) Stafford:
Obituary notice for the nephew of Van and Ethel,
Elbert Lee Stafford 1933-2022
son of Frank Tensley Stafford and Willie Flossie (Biggs) Stafford: https://sandersonfh.secure.tributecenteronline.com/obituaries/Elbert-Stafford?obId=25845753
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My Social Pages:
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Stafford-Tidwell Family Tree
Created by Tammy Jean Stafford-Bellflower