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). Beside him is my paternal great-grandmother, Celina Avo (Stafford) Stafford (1885–1982), holding her son Frank Tensley Stafford (1909–1992).
Place: Gainesboro, Jackson County, Tennessee
Photo uploaded by Tammy Stafford-Bellflower

William Riley “Will” Stafford was born on April 19, 1881, in Jackson County, Tennessee, to Lorenzo Dow Stafford Sr. (1858–1940) and Martha J. (Stafford / Harris) Stafford (1861–1910).

On August 27, 1905, he married his first cousin, Celina Avo (Stafford) Stafford. Together, they had ten children over a span of 25 years.

He died on June 22, 1955, in Gainesboro, Tennessee, at the age of 74, and is buried there.

Celina Avo passed away in 1982 in Gainesboro and is buried at Pharris Cemetery in Jackson County, Tennessee.

Family Note:
Celina’s father, Ross Stafford (1867–1907), was the full sibling of William Riley’s mother, Martha J. (Stafford / Harris). On her marriage record, Martha's maiden name appears as Stafford, but elsewhere on the same record, it is listed as Harris.

In a newspaper clipping from the Nashville Banner dated May 17, 1907, several family members were mentioned, including Lorenzo Dow Stafford Sr., William Riley Stafford, and Fowler D. Stafford. They were arraigned in connection with the death of Ross Stafford. According to family accounts from Van Dow Stafford and Celina Avo Stafford, no one was ever prosecuted.

William Riley Stafford’s Full Siblings:

Dovie A. Stafford (1880–?) – Burial unknown
James Dow "Jim" Stafford (1883–1941) – Pharris Cemetery, Gainesboro, TN
Belle Stafford (1885?–?) – Burial unknown
Fowler D. Stafford (1887–1962) – Pharris Cemetery
Eliga Dow Stafford (1891–1971) – Pharris Cemetery
Lillie Stafford (1890–1975) – Burial unknown
Lee Stafford (1896–1969) – Pharris Cemetery

Family Note:
Several of William’s brothers married a set of sisters — their first cousins. For example, Eliga Dow married Cora Belle (Stafford), and Lee married Helen Jeanette (Stafford), both full siblings of William’s wife, Celina Avo. These couples were double first cousins.

William Riley Stafford’s Half-Siblings (via father Lorenzo & second wife Cora Liza Rush):

Lorenzo Dow Stafford Jr. (1923–1968) – Died in car accident; buried at Denson Cemetery
Bertha Margaret (Stafford) Lampley (1929–1991) – Lampley Cemetery, Fairview, TN
Irene (Stafford) McCormick (1920–2001) – Burial unknown
Joe Mitchell Stafford (1933–1934) – Died of whooping cough; burial unknown
Daisy V. Stafford (1931–1931) – Denson Cemetery

Family Note:
Cora Liza Rush was also the mother of William’s daughter-in-law, Ethel (Biggs) Stafford. Cora divorced her first husband, Woody C. Biggs, married Lorenzo Sr., had two children, and then later remarried Woody.

Children of William Riley & Celina Avo Stafford:

Van Dow Stafford (1907–1992) – Raised me (Tammy) and my brother, Timmy
Frank Tensley Stafford (1909–1992)
Willie Cordell Stafford (1911–1969) – Died in Detroit, MI; burial unknown
Vilvie (Stafford) Elkins (1913–1986) – Pharris Cemetery
Hattie May (Stafford) Martin (1914–1943) – Unmarked grave, Pharris Cemetery
Averette Stafford (1915–1982) – Pharris Cemetery
Wade Lovell Stafford (1917–1940) – Unmarked grave, Pharris Cemetery
Roscoe Stafford (1923–1957) – Pharris Cemetery
Versie Lou (Stafford) Davidson (1920–1939) – Pharris Cemetery
Monedith (Stafford) Huffines (1932–1980) – Pharris Cemetery

Family Note:
Many in the Stafford family married their cousins or relatives of in-laws, leading to a complex web of double and first cousin marriages in this line.

Lorenzo Dow Stafford Sr. with grandchildren

(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

Legacy & Links:

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