1909—1983

Dora Ethel (Biggs) Stafford

Place of photo:

Gainesboro, Tennessee

Jackson County.

Photo uploaded by her granddaughter

Tammy Stafford-Bellflower

******************************
Ethel's son, (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 )

________________________________

Ethel (Biggs) Stafford 1909-1983 Obituary

Ethel was married to Van Dow Stafford B:1907-D:1992 and was a homemaker. A mom of seven who also raised two of her grandchildren: Timmy Lee Stafford 1966-2004 & Tammy Jean (Stafford) Bellflower; children of P.J. "Pete" Stafford 1932-2004 and Doris (Tidwell.) Ethel was born in Tennessee. She and Van lived in Gainesboro, Jackson County, Tennessee, and raised their children there. They lived for some time in Franklin, Simpson County, Kentucky when they were raising their grandchildren before moving back to Gainesboro. Ethel passed away in Gainesboro; Van later passed away in Opelika, Lee County, Alabama at his daughter's (Jean (Stafford) Ashley 1931-2005) home and in the same town his grandchildren, whom he raised, were living in. Van was born in Gainesboro, Jackson County, Tennessee

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More Info

Ethel was born on August 21, 1909, in Gainesboro, Jackson County, Tennessee. She passed away at the Jackson County Hospital in Gainesboro, Jackson County, Tennessee after suffering a major heart attack on September 19,1983, at the age of 74.

Burial: Pharris Cemetery in Gainesboro, Jackson County, Tennessee.

Her husband Van Dow Stafford 1907-1992 later passed away in Opelika, Lee County, Alabama. Burial: Pharris Cemetery in Gainesboro, Jackson County, Tennessee.

Ethel's Parents:

Woody C. Biggs 1884–1974 of Tennessee

and

Cora Liza (Rush) Biggs1891–1964.

Burial: Denson Cemetery Gainesboro, Jackson County, Tennessee.

*Note About the Family Tree/history*

Cora and Woody were divorced at one time - Cora married Van's 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.

Ethel's Siblings

Charles Biggs 1911–1911 Burial: Unknown gravesite in Tennessee

(Charlie's parents: Cora and Woody)

Willie Flossie (Biggs) Stafford 1912–2003 Burial: Tuttle Cemetery Sumner County, Tennessee. *She was called Aunt Bill by most of us in the family*

(Willie's parents: Cora and Woody)

*Note About the Family Tree / History*

Willie married her brother-in-law, (Van's brother) Frank Tensley Stafford 1909-1992 *no blood relation-just a set of siblings married another set of siblings*

Hallie (Biggs) Stafford DeWeese 1915–1996 Burial: Pharris Cemetery in Gainesboro, Jackson County, Tennessee

(Hallie's parents: Cora and Woody)

*Note About the Family Tree/History*

Hallie's 1st marriage: Sam Stafford 1907–1961(had children from that marriage) Hallie's last marriage(her paternal 1st cousin): Charles M. DeWeese 1900–1985(no children from that marriage.) Charles is the son of Mary Ann (Biggs) Deweese 1873–1961. Mary and Woody C. Biggs are full siblings.

Ethel's half-siblings

Lorenzo Dow Stafford Jr. 1922–1968(Dow died in a car accident along with Roy Lee Mooneyhan 1929–1968; Roy was the brother-in-law of Van and Ethel's son, Laurence Freeman Stafford 1935–2014. Freeman was married to Mae Jewel (Mooneyhan) Stafford B:1939–D:2000. Lorenzo's Burial: Denson Cemetery in Gainesboro, Jackson County, Tennessee

(Lorenzo Jr.'s parents: Lorenzo Dow Stafford Sr. 1858-1940 and Cora 1891-1964)

Bertha Margaret (Stafford) Lampley 1929–1991 Burial: Lampley Cemetery in Fairview, Williamson County, Tennessee.

(Bertha's parents: Lorenzo Dow Stafford Sr. 1858-1940 and Cora 1891-1964)

Mary Irene (Stafford) McCormick 1921–2001 Burial: Unknown. (Irene's parents: Lorenzo Dow Stafford Sr. 1858-1940 and Cora 1891-1964)

--- Daisy V Stafford 1931-1931 Burial: Denson Cemetery in Gainesboro, Jackson County, Tennessee. (Daisy's parents: Lorenzo Dow Stafford Sr. 1858-1940 and Cora 1891-1964)

Joe Mitchell Stafford 1933-1934 Burial: Unknown. (Joe's parents: Lorenzo Dow Stafford Sr. 1858-1940 and Cora 1891-1964)

(A Note about Joe)
His death was due to whooping cough.

Luther Edward Biggs 1918–1977 Burial: Denson Cemetery in Gainesboro, Jackson County, Tennessee.

(Luther's parents: Woody and Mary)

Ruby Marie (Biggs) Wade 1920–2002 Burial: Harpeth Hills Memory Gardens in Nashville, Davidson County, Tennessee

(Ruby's parents: Woody and Mary)

Willie Lee (Biggs) Adams 1920–2004 Burial: Harpeth Hills Memory

Gardens in Nashville, Davidson County, Tennessee

(Willie's parents: Mallie and Woody)

Thomas H. Biggs 1921–1999 Burial: Maplewood Cemetery in Marion, Williamson County, Illinois.

(Thomas's parents: Woody and Sallie)

Molly Corrina (Biggs) 1925–1926 Burial: Unknown in Tennessee.

(Molly's parents: Woody and Sallie)

Eugene Biggs 1927–2003 Burial: Church of Christ Cemetery in Eagle Lake, Polk County, Florida.

(Eugene's parents: Woody and Sallie)

Glenn Biggs 1923–2001 Burial: Spring Hill Cemetery in Nashville, Davidson County, Tennessee.

(Glenn's parents: Woody and Sallie)

*A Note About Glenn: He was married to Mary Kathleen (ANDERSON) Biggs 1929-2022. Mary was the sibling of my maternal grandmother, Margaret Arene (Anderson) Tidwell 1923-2007.

Margaret Elizabeth (Biggs) Wilson 1930–2003 Burial: Forest Lawn Memorial Gardens in Goodlettsville, Davidson County, Tennessee

(Margaret's parents: Woody and Sallie)

Mary Helen (Biggs) McCallister 1929–1970 Burial: Forest Lawn Memorial Gardens in Goodlettsville, Davidson County, Tennessee.

(Mary's parents: Woody and Sallie)

(At the time of Ethel's death)

Survivors include her 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. Her Daughters: Rhoda (Stafford) Williams of Pleasant View, TN, Lucille (Stafford) Stanley of Joelton, TN, and Jean (Stafford) Ashley of Opelika, Alabama. Two of her grandchildren that she and her husband, Van, raised: Timmy Lee Stafford and Tammy Jean (Stafford) Mayberry --- (now Tammy (Stafford) Bellflower), and a slew of other grandchildren & great-grandchildren.

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(Since her death)

The grandson she 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 4th, 2024

Ethel's son, Ronnie Stafford (living)

and

Granddaughter (daughter of P.J. "Pete" Stafford 1932-2012) raised by Ethel, 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)

One (D.L.), a week after birth

One(Ella Vergie), around 6 years old (stomach virus/flu)

I do not know where the children's burial site is. I remember my grandparents talking often about 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 circles around. It's unknown where the exact locations are because of that.

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In the photo (left to right) My paternal great-grandmother, Celina Avo Stafford 1884–1982; (Unknown lady); My paternal grandmother, Ethel (Biggs) Stafford 1909–1983; My paternal aunt, Rhoda Mae (Stafford) 1928–2013; (Child) My paternal first cousin, Patricia Gwen (Elliott) 1948–2009. Patricia was the daughter of Rhoda. Ethel was the mother of Rhoda. photo uploaded by Tammy Stafford-Bellflower; daughter of P.J. "Pete" Stafford 1932-2012; granddaughter raised by Ethel (Biggs) Stafford.

Van Dow Stafford with wife, Ethel (Biggs) Stafford
Place:
Gainesboro, Tennessee
Jackson County
Photo uploaded by their granddaughter
Tammy Stafford-Bellflower

Ethel (Biggs) Stafford
of Gainesboro, Jackson County, TN.
Daughter of Woody C. Biggs
and Cora Liza (Rush) Biggs
Photo uploaded by her granddaughter
Tammy Stafford-Bellflower

Ethel (Biggs) Stafford and Van D. Stafford
with the grandchildren, they were raising:
Tammy Jean Stafford
&
Timmy Lee Stafford 1966-2004
Children of P.J. "Pete" Stafford 1932-2012 and his 2nd wife, Doris Ann (Tidwell)
Place of photo:
Franklin, Kentucky
Simpson County
when we were living on
612 Lemon Street.
We lived there for several years before Van moved us
all back to Gainesboro, TN. to help his sister, Vilvie (Stafford) Elkins
care for their mother Celina Avo (Stafford) Stafford.
My "Pappy" Woody C. Biggs passed away in Franklin, KY. He had been living with us for several
months before he passed away.

Timmy and I loved living in Franklin, KY, and it was the best part
of our childhood that we often talked about before he passed away.
Timmy died instantly in a head-on collision on Hwy 51 in Opelika, Alabama
on December 14th, 2004 at 38. He is my only full sibling and
we were also good friends and were living right next door to each other for several
years before he passed. I'm the only one left of us four, and I do miss them all.
I also miss my father, even though he did not raise me or provide for me and
Timmy during our childhood. As of today (2/4/2024/), Doris is still living and
I have a great relationship with my mom. Timmy did also before he passed away.
We had learned from others in our Stafford family, which had confirmed
what our grandfather Van had told us all along: it was no fault on Doris's
part that she did not get to raise Timmy and me. She is a wonderful person.
Photo uploaded by
Tammy Stafford-Bellflower

Links (photos & genealogy/memorial sites)

Ethel (Biggs) Stafford of Gainesboro, Jackson County, Tennessee- WikiTree website

Ethel (Biggs) Stafford of Gainesboro, Jackson County, Tennessee- We Remember website

Van D. Stafford of Gainesboro, Jackson County, Tennessee- We Remember website (Ethel's husband)

Van D. Stafford - WikiTree & Van Dow Stafford / Stafford-Tidwell Family Tree

P.J. "Pete" Stafford on Find a Grave (Ethel's son) & P.J. "Pete" Stafford - Stafford-Tidwell Family Tree

& P.J. "Pete" Stafford - WikiTree

(father of Frieta (Stafford) from his first marriage to Edith; 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 *see Pete's original published Obit* with his 3rd wife/1st cousin, Brenda Joyce (Stafford) Stafford 1946-2019