Billy Joe Stafford

Dateline, Spruce Pine, NC 

Billy Joe Stafford of Spruce Pine, NC, went home to be with the Lord on Wednesday, July 3, 2019. He was co-owner of Sunflower Daycare Center. He was a 1972 Graduate of Harris High School and a graduate of Mayland College Auto Mechanics and an Associates Degree in Early Education and a certificate as a Certified Nurses Assistant Level II. He served several years as a board member on the Blue Ridge Partnership for Children. He was a former employee of Ellens Knitting Mill, Buck Stove, Air Preheater, Henredon Furniture, Brian Center, Brookside Rehabilitation and many Home Health Agencies along with private care. He loved the older people and all the children he worked with.

He was born in Marion, NC August 19, 1954.  He was a member of Freedom Baptist Church in Spruce Pine, NC.

He is preceded in death by an infant son Thomas Matthew Stafford, grandparents Tom and Lucille Pitman Stafford, and Oscar and Ada Greene Rice, and a brother in law Johnny Lowery, his father Virgil and stepmother June Stafford.

He is survived by the love of his life Ethel Miller Stafford for 39 years, his mother Mary Emma Stafford, and sibling Judy Lowery of Spruce Pine, his daughters Sarah Clark (Randy Clark), and Rachel Stafford, grandsons Charles James and Samuel Joseph Clark, all of Spruce Pine. He is also survived by two brothers in law Ronald Miller and Rex Ray Jr. and sister in law Eloise Ray of Burnsville who were like brothers and sister to him, his nephews Josh Ray of Asheville, and Daniel Ray (Danica), of Spruce Pine who were like his own sons, his niece Brandi Gurley (Lance), of Spruce Pine, he is also survived by two more nephews and a niece and a host of friends and other family members.

His children and grandsons were the joy of his life.

Funeral services will be held Sunday, July 7, 2019 at 4:00PM in Freedom Baptist Church with Donald Davis officiating. The family will receive friends two hours prior to the service. Interment will follow in Freedom Gardens.

The family would like to say a special thanks to: The staff at Mission Hospitals St. Joseph Campus, Atrium Healthcare Express, Marion, NC, and Tammie Stonbach.

Henline - Hughes Funeral Home is assisting the Stafford Family.

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