Deacon Grady Jerome Stafford, Sr.

Grady was born May 24,1947 in Reddick, Florida to Rosa Mae Washington his biological mother, but he was reared by his grandparents Grady and Elouise Stafford. He was baptized at an early age at United Missionary Baptist Church of Reddick, Florida. Grady attended Marion County Public Schools and graduated from Fessenden High School Class of 1965. After graduating from high school he went on to serve in the United States Army and United States Air Force. Grady served as Commander of Amvets Post 331 and was a Deacon at Mt. Sinai Missionary Baptist Church, served as Transportation Director, and Trustee member. He was employed in the Trucking Industry for many years. Grady was preceded in death by: mother Rosa Mae Washington; Grandfather Grady Stafford; Grandmother Elouise Stafford; Brother Charles Stafford; Daughters Harriett Stafford and Alisa Johnson; Grandson Jonathan Johnson; and Father-in-law, Bennie Starke and Brother-in-law Larry Lee Paul. He leaves to cherish his memories: a loving WIFE, Ruth Jeannette Stafford, Orlando, Florida; CHILDREN, Grady Jerome Stafford, Jr. (Latwanita), Reddick, Florida, Tifphanie Stafford, Jacksonville, Florida, Gemariah Jerome Stafford (Tanesha), Orlando, Florida, Deborah Stafford, Americus, Georgia, David Jerome Stafford, Orlando, Florida, Veronica Johnson, Jacksonville, Florida, Darshay Bellamy-Ogunmola (Olaniyi), Bellevue. Washington, and De’mesha Bellamy, Orlando, Florida; BROTHERS, Randy Stafford, Reddick, Florida, Michael Dennis Patterson (Reva) Reddick, Florida, and Timothy Patterson, (Tracey) Lynchburg, Virginia; GRANDCHILDREN, Cedrick Stafford, Santana Sims, Bryant Graham, Sherese Vereen (Kenron), Parion Sims, Jr., Elizabeth Sims, Jeremiah Stafford, Isaiah Stafford, Christian Stafford, Abigail Stafford, RaVon Dassie, RaVyn Dassie, David Drake, and Demetric Johnson; 35 GREAT GRANDCHILDREN; 15 GREAT-GREAT GRANDCHILDREN; SISTERS-IN-LAW, Joann Stafford, Karen Starke Paul, Terry Starke, Mary Blue (Kelly), Barbara Rand, Karen Ward, Joy McCollum-Thomas, Cheryl Newton, and Carol Harrington (Demica); BROTHERS-IN-LAW, Bruce and Jacob Sorey; SPECIAL NIECES, Jasmin Giles, Ashley Shaw, Jennifer and Jessica Paul; SPECIAL NEPHEWS, Jordan Shaw and Justin Paul; SPECIAL COUSINS, Nadine Stokes and James L. Simmons; SPECIAL BONUS MOTHER-IN-LAW, Annie Ruth Starke; and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, and other sorrowing friends.

Tributes

Deacon Grady Jerome Stafford, Sr.

May 24, 1947 - October 13, 2023