Alice Stafford

Smithville – Alice Gray Knight Stafford, 78, departed to her new eternal home on March 14, 2011, from River Place, Amory. Born on January 21, 1933, in Detroit, AL, to the late Arnie and Susie Knight, she was one of eight children.
Mrs. Stafford graduated from Smithville High School, Class of 1951, and married Quinton Stafford on December 20, 1952. She worked in the garment industry in Amory and Smithville, drove a school bus, drove the lumber truck for their sawmill business, and completed her working years at Hoods Cleaners, where she did alterations. Mrs. Stafford taught junior class Sunday school for many years at Pearce Chapel Free Will Baptist Church and the young adult Sunday school class at Smithville First Free Will Baptist Church. She also served as president of the Women’s Auxiliary at Smithville First Free Will Baptist Church. In her younger years, Mrs. Stafford was active in the Oak Hill RCDC and held offices in that community club. She was a member of Cross Bound Church, Smithville. She enjoyed listening to Gospel music and reading her Bible. Mrs. Stafford was an avid Lakers NBA fan and defended them to the end of the 54 seasons she was able to cheer for them. She loved her family and will be missed until we can join her.
In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband; two grandchildren, Angie Renee Stafford and Jessie Cole Stafford; four brothers, R. L., Lloyd “Dick,” E. T., and Dudley Knight; and a sister, Shirley Wood.
She is survived by three children, Patsy (Mike) Shannon, Smithville, Debbie (Andy) Wilson, Amory and Glenn (Donna) Stafford, Corinth; seven grandchildren, April (Richard) McAfee, Smithville, Amanda (Dale) Braddock, Amory, Will (Mitzi) Frederick, Amory, Sarah (Josh) Hatcher, Hatley, Elise (Spencer) Brock, Smithville, and Willie Stafford and Tyler Stafford, Smithville; eleven great-grandchildren, Harley, Daniel, Anna, Taylor, Jaiden, Avery, William Andrew, Lonna, Carter, Ally and Matthew; sisters, Clara Mae King and Dottie Sue Bennett, Amory; and many nieces and nephews.
A Celebration of Life Service will be held at 11 AM, Thursday, March 17, 2011, at E. E. Pickle Funeral Home, Smithville with Bro. Scott Nicholson and Tony Wood officiating. Burial will follow in Pearce Chapel Cemetery. Pallbearers will be John Clingan, Richard Allred, Billy Taylor, Burl Hicks, Mitchell and Matthew Allred, and Greg Williams.
Visitation will be from 5 – 8 PM, Wednesday at the funeral home in Smithville.
Memorials may be given to American Cancer Society, % Beth May, P. O. Box 269, Amory, MS 38821, Diabetes Foundation of Mississippi, 800 Avery Blvd., Ste. 100, Ridgeland, MS 39157, and the Arthritis Foundation, P. O. Box 96280, Washington, DC 20077-7491.
Memories and condolences may be shared with the family at eepicklefuneralhome.com. Arrangements are in the care of E. E. Pickle Funeral Home, Smithville.