Van Dow STAFFORD

1907–1992

Van Dow Stafford
of Gainesboro, Tennessee
Jackson County
Photo uploaded by his granddaughter
Tammy Stafford-Bellflower

Van's son (my father): P.J. STAFFORD (1932–2012)

First husband 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)

Van Dow Stafford – Obituary

Van was born on February 2, 1907, in Gainesboro, Jackson County, Tennessee. He passed away at his daughter Jean (Stafford) Ashley’s home in Opelika, Alabama, on July 28, 1992, at age 85.

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

Van’s wife was Ethel (Biggs) Stafford (1909–1983), also buried at Pharris Cemetery.

Parents:

William Riley Stafford (1881–1955)
and Celina Avo (Stafford) Stafford (1885–1982)
Gainesboro, Tennessee – both buried at Pharris Cemetery.

Family Notes:

William Riley and Celina Avo were first cousins. Celina’s father, Ross Stafford (1867–1907), was the full sibling of William Riley’s mother, Martha J. (Stafford) Stafford (1861–1910). Her maiden name shows as “Stafford” on her marriage record, though later listed as “Harris.”

A Family Story:

My grandfather told me a story passed down about a fight between both of his grandfathers — Ross Stafford (maternal) and Lorenzo Dow Stafford Sr. (paternal). The argument, reportedly over stolen moonshine, ended with Lorenzo stabbing Ross. Ross died weeks later from infection. Lorenzo stayed by his side in remorse. The fight stemmed from a drunken dispute about their still.

Nashville Banner – May 17, 1907 (Page 10)

Siblings of Van Dow Stafford:

  • Willie Cordell Stafford (1911–1969) – Died in Detroit, Michigan. Burial unknown.
  • Vilvie (Stafford) Elkins (1913–1986) – Pharris Cemetery
  • Roscoe Stafford (1923–1957) – Pharris Cemetery
  • Hattie May (Stafford) Martin (1914–1943) – Pharris Cemetery, unmarked grave
  • Wade Lovell Stafford (1917–1940) – Pharris Cemetery, unmarked grave
  • Averette Stafford (1915–1982) – Pharris Cemetery
  • Versie Lou (Stafford) Davidson (1920–1939) – Pharris Cemetery
  • Monedith “Tootsie” (Stafford) Huffines (1932–1980) – Pharris Cemetery
  • Frank Tensley Stafford (1909–1992) – Tuttle Cemetery, Sumner County, TN

Note about Averette: Averette was also the father-in-law of Van’s son, Pete. Pete’s third wife, Brenda Joyce (Stafford) Stafford (1946–2019), was Averette’s daughter.

Another one of Averette’s daughters, Mabel Irene (Stafford) Stafford (1938–2010), married her second cousin once removed, Roger Lee Stafford (1935–2000).

At the time of Van’s death, his surviving children included:

Van and Ethel also raised two of their grandchildren: Timmy Lee Stafford and Tammy Jean (Stafford) Bellflower.

Three Children of Van and Ethel Who Passed Away Young:

  • One daughter – died at birth while Ethel was gravely ill with a high fever
  • One son (D.L.) – died at one week old
  • One daughter (Ella Vergie) – died at around 6 years old from stomach flu

According to my grandparents, the children were buried close together. Sadly, a road was later built over their gravesites (at the Pharris Cemetery).

UPDATE (March 19, 2022):

My Uncle Ronnie said the children’s graves are located at the back of Pharris Cemetery, but the exact spots are unknown due to the road construction.

Van and Ethel Stafford
Van Dow Stafford and Ethel (Biggs) Stafford
Shortly after marriage
Gainesboro, Tennessee – Jackson County
Photo uploaded by their granddaughter: Tammy Stafford-Bellflower

Links (Photos, Genealogy & Memorial Sites)

Additional Obituaries:

My Social Pages


Stafford-Tidwell Family Tree
Created by Tammy Jean Stafford-Bellflower