Celina Avo (STAFFORD)

1885-1982

My paternal great-grandfather, William Riley "Will Dow" Stafford 1881-1955
holding his son(my grandfather who raised me) Van Dow Stafford 1907-1992.
&
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
****************************

Celina's grandson, (my father) P.J. STAFFORD 1932-2012

was the 1st husband (marriage record) of my mother,

Doris Ann (TIDWELL)

* See Tidwell Page *

Doris and P.J. had two children together:
(Me) Tammy Jean (STAFFORD)- Bellflower
and

Timmy Lee STAFFORD 1966-2004

( Obituary) ( Headstone)
( In Loving Memory )

__________________________

Biography

When Celina Avo Stafford was born on January 28, 1885, in Jackson, Tennessee, her father, Ross Stafford 1867–1907, was 17, and her mother, Rhoda A. (Harris) 1857 – death date unknown, was 27.

Celina married her paternal 1st cousin, William Riley "Will" Stafford B:1881–D:1955 on August 27, 1905, in Jackson, Tennessee. They had ten children in 25 years. She died on December 23, 1982, in Gainesboro, Tennessee, at the age of 97, and was buried there.

(A Note)

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:

Nashville Banner

17 May 1907, Fri · Page 10

__________________________________

Celina Avo's siblings:

--- John David Stafford 1886 – 1961 - death in Nashville, Davidson County, TN - burial unknown

--- Cora Belle (Stafford) Stafford 1887 – 1976 - Burial Cemetery in Gainesboro, Jackson County, Tennessee.

(A Note)

Cora Belle also married a 1st cousin: Eliga Dow Stafford 1891 – 1971.

Eliga Dow is the full sibling of Celina's husband, William Riley "Will" Stafford 1881–1955.

--- Maggie (Stafford) Hamlet 1889 –? - burial unknown

--- Robert Lee Stafford 1891 – 1975 - burial: Clark Memorial Cemetery in Gaiesboro, Jackson County, TN.

--- Helen Jeanette "Nettie" (Stafford) Stafford 1897 –? - burial unknown

(A Note)

Helen Jeanette also married a 1st cousin: Lee Stafford 1896 – 1969.

Lee is also the full sibling of Celina's husband, William Riley "Will" Stafford 1881–1955.

Hopefully, that clears up any confusion about three of the sisters' maiden names not changing: They married a set of brothers who were also their 1st cousins. The brothers' mother is a full sibling of the sisters' father.

-----------------------

Celina and William Riley's Children:

--- Van Dow Stafford 1907-1992(My paternal grandfather who, along with his wife (my grandmother), Ethel (Biggs) Stafford 1909-1983 raised me and my full sibling, Timmy Lee Stafford 1966-2004.)

Van and Ethel's Burial: Pharris Cemetery in Gainesboro, Jackson County, Tennessee. Timmy's Burial: Garden Hills Cemetery in Opelika, Lee County, Alabama. Van and Ethel's son, P.J. "Pete" Stafford 1932-2012, and his 2nd wife, Doris Ann (Tidwell) are the parents of Timmy and Tammy Stafford. Pete is also buried at the Pharris Cemetery in Gainesboro, Jackson County, Tennessee, next to his 3rd wife/1st cousin, Brenda Joyce (Stafford) Stafford 1946-2019.

--- 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

--- 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.

--- Roscoe Stafford 1923–1957 Burial: Pharris Cemetery in Gainesboro, Jackson County, Tennessee

--- 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.

--- Versie Lou (Stafford) Davidson 1920–1939 Burial: Pharris Cemetery in Gainesboro, Jackson County, Tennessee

--- Monedith (Stafford) 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.

(A Note)

Frank was married to(Willie Flossie (Biggs) Stafford 1912–2003) the sister of Van's wife, Ethel (Biggs) Stafford 1909-1983.

-------------------------------

Celina is my paternal great-grandmother whose son, Van D. Stafford, raised me(and my brother Timmy 1966-2004) from toddler to reaching adult. Celina was still living during my teen years and living with her daughter, Vilvie (Stafford) Elkins. Her son, Van, moved us(his wife, Ethel, and grandchildren) from Franklin, Simpson County, Kentucky back to Gainesboro, Jackson County, Tennesse to help his sister, Vilvie, care for their mom.

And this was a couple of years after Van & Ethel had moved Ethel's father, Woody C. Biggs into our home to care for until his death. This was when we were residing in Franklin, KY.

Celina and her daughter, Vilvie, were sweet ladies. Timmy and I enjoyed hearing the stories of their childhood and early adult years/life events in Jackson County.

------------------------

Celina Avo (Stafford) Stafford on Virtual Cemeteries by Find A Grave website

Son of Celina Avo (Stafford) Stafford:

Van Dow Stafford 1907-1992

Van Dow Stafford on We Remember memorial

Van D Stafford on FamilySearch.org

Van D Stafford on Virtual Cemeteries by Find A Grave website

-----------------------

Grandson of Celina Avo (Stafford) Stafford:

P.J. "Pete" Stafford 1932-2012

P.J "Pete" Stafford on We Remember memorial

P.J. "Pete" Stafford on Find a Grave