William Riley STAFFORD

1881-1955

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
****************************

William'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 )

__________________________

When William Riley "Will" Stafford was born on April 19, 1881, in Jackson, Tennessee, his father, Lorenzo, was 22 and his mother, Martha, was 20. He married his 1st cousin Celina Avo (Stafford) Stafford on August 27, 1905, in Jackson, Tennessee. They had ten children in 25 years. He died on June 22, 1955, in Gainesboro, Tennessee, at the age of 74, and was buried there.

Celina Avo (Stafford) Stafford passed away in 1982 in Gainesboro, Jackson County, Tennessee. Burial: Pharris Cemetery in Gainesboro, Jackson County, Tennessee

(A Note)

Celina's father(Ross Stafford 1867–1907) is the full sibling of William Riley's mother(Martha J (Stafford / Harris) 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.

Lorenzo Dow Stafford Sr., born in 1858 and died in 1940, William Riley Stafford, born in 1881 and died in 1955, Fowler D Stafford, born in 1887 and died in 1962, and Ross Stafford, born in 1867 and died in 1907, are all individuals mentioned in a newspaper clipping from the Nashville Banner on May 17, 1907. The article reports on the arraignment of Lorenzo, William, and Fowler Stafford for the death of Ross Stafford. However, according to Van Dow Stafford, born in 1907 and died in 1992, and his mother Celina Avo Stafford, born in 1885 and died in 1982, no one was ever prosecuted for the crime.

_________________________________

William Riley's parents:

Lorenzo Dow Stafford Sr. 1858–1940 and Martha J (Stafford / Harris) Stafford 1861–1910 of Gainesboro, Jackson County, Tennessee.

===

William Riley's Full siblings:
--- Dovie A. Stafford 1880 - unknown Burial: Unknown
--- James Dow "Jim" Stafford 1883 – 1941 Burial: Pharris Cemetery in Gainesboro, Jackson County, Tennessee.
--- Belle Stafford 1885(?) – Unknown - Burial: Unknown
--- Fowler D Stafford 1887 – 1962 - Burial: Pharris Cemetery in Gainesboro, Jackson County, Tennessee.
--- Eliga Dow Stafford 1891 – 1971 - Burial: Pharris Cemetery in Gainesboro, Jackson County, Tennessee.
(A Note)
Eliga Dow also married a 1st cousin: Cora Belle (Stafford) 1887 – 1976. Cora Belle is the full sibling of William Riley's wife, Celina Avo (Stafford) Stafford 1885–1982.
--- Lillie Stafford 1890 – 1975 - Burial: Unknown
--- Lee Stafford 1896 – 1969 - Burial: Pharris Cemetery in Gainesboro, Jackson County, Tennessee.
(A Note)
Lee also married a 1st cousin: Helen Jeanette (Stafford) 1897 – 1980. Helen is also the full sibling of William Riley's wife, Celina Avo (Stafford) Stafford 1885–1982.
Hopefully, that clears up any confusion about three of the full brothers: They married a set of sisters who were also their 1st cousins. The brothers' mother was a full sibling of the sisters' father.
== William Riley's Half-Siblings:
--- Lorenzo Dow Stafford Jr. 1923 – 1968; (his mom) Cora Liza (Rush)1891-1964; (his father) Lorenzo Dow Stafford Sr..1858–1940.
(A Note About Lorenzo Dow Stafford Jr. 1923-1968)
Lorenzo Dow Stafford Jr. 1922–1968(Dow Jr. 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 1939–2000). Lorenzo Jr.'s Burial: Denson Cemetery in Gainesboro, Jackson County, Tennessee
--- Bertha Margaret (Stafford) Lampley 1929 – 1991; (her mom) Cora Liza (Rush)1981-1964; (her father) Lorenzo Dow Stafford Sr. 1858–1940. - Burial: Lampley Cemetery in Fairview, Williamson County, Tennessee.
--- Irene (Stafford) McCormick 1920-2001; (her mom) Cora Liza (Rush)1981-1964; (her father) Lorenzo Dow Stafford Sr. 1858–1940. - Burial: Unknown.
--- Joe Mitchell Stafford 1933-1934; (his mom) Cora Liza (Rush)1981-1964; (his father) Lorenzo Dow Stafford Sr. 1858–1940. Burial: Unknown
(A Note about Joe)
His death was due to a whooping cough.

--- Daisy V Stafford 1931-1931; (her mom) Cora Liza (Rush)1981-1964; (her father) Lorenzo Dow Stafford Sr. 1858–1940.- Burial: Denson Cemetery in Gainesboro, Jackson County, Tennessee.
A Note About Lorenzo Dow Stafford Jr., Bertha Margaret, and their mom, Cora Liza (Rush) Biggs:
Cora Liza (Rush) 1981-1964 is the mother of William Riley's daughter-in-law, (Ethel (Biggs) Stafford 1909-1983.)
Ethel's parents, Cora Liza (Rush) 1981-1964 and Woody C. Biggs 1884–1974 had divorced, and Cora married William Riley's father, Lorenzo Dow Stafford Sr.1858–1940. They had two children(Lorenzo Jr. and Bertha Margaret. from that marriage... later, Cora and Woody remarried.
(Lorenzo Dow Stafford Jr. 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.)
==============================

William Riley and Celina Avo'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. 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) 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.

==================================

Old Stafford Family Photo / Stafford of Gainesboro, Tennessee / Jackson County, TN.

The man sitting in the chair is the father of William Riley "Will" Stafford 1881-1955

(back) left to right

My paternal aunt, Rhoda Mae (Stafford) Williams 1928-2013

My paternal great-aunt, Vilvie (Stafford) Elkins 1913-1986

My paternal aunt, Jean (Stafford) Ashley 1931-2005

-A note about the photo-

Some people in the family have disputed about if it is Vilvie in the photo. It IS Vilvie. I was raised by Vilvie's brother( Van) 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.

(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

*The Kinship of the People in the Photo*

Vilvie is the daughter of William Riley "Will" Stafford 1881-1955.

Rhoda, Jean, and Pete are the children of William Riley "Will" Stafford's 1881-1955 son, Van Dow Stafford 1907-1992.

Elbert Lee is the son of William Riley "Will" Stafford 1881-1955 son, Frank Tensley Stafford 1909-1992.

*More Info/reminder from the info above: Cross-Over Marriage*

The man sitting in the chair, Lorenzo Dow Stafford Sr. 1858-1940 was at one time married to the mother( Cora Liza (Rush) 1891-1964) of his Granddaughter-In-Law, Ethel (Biggs) Stafford 1909-1983 ( Van's wife.)

Cora had been married to Woody C. Biggs Birth:1884-Death:1974( Ethel's father.) They have Ethel and three other children(1 was stillborn)...and then divorced.

Cora then marries Lorenzo Dow Stafford Sr. Birth:1858-Death:1940. They have two children(a son, and a daughter...and then divorced.

Cora remarries Woody C. Biggs.

*Some More Info: Double First Cousins*

Elbert Lee Stafford is a double first cousin of Rhoda, Jean, and Pete.

That's because Elbert's father (Frank Tinsley Stafford 1909-1992) is the brother of Rhoda, Jean, and Pete's father (Van D. Stafford) ... and Elbert's mother (Willie Flossie (Biggs) Stafford 1912-2003) is the sister of Rhoda, Jean, and Pete's mom ( Dora Ethel (Biggs) Stafford.)

___________________________________

William Riley Stafford on Virtual Cemeteries

Son of William Riley 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

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Grandson of William Riley Stafford:

P.J. "Pete" Stafford 1932-2012

P.J "Pete" Stafford on We Remember memorial

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