SARA ELLEN M. STAFFORD

Sara Ellen Marshall Stafford, 83, widow of Robert E. "Bobby" Stafford Sr., died on Tuesday, Feb. 12, 2019. Sara will again be joined with her beloved husband of 64 years and united with her Lord and Savior.

Born on March 3, 1935, in Sumter, she was a daughter of the late Wallace H. Marshall and Juanita Marshall Shade. She along with her husband, Bobby, and son, Robbie, owned and operated Stafford's Strawberries and Stafford's Produce Market. She was a very active member of Bethel United Methodist Church at Oswego, where she was a member of the choir for many years and participated in numerous women's activities. She was very active in both the state and local (Du-We-Go) chapters of The Grange.

Survivors include a son, Robert E. "Robbie" Stafford Jr. (Kathy) of Sumter; three grandchildren, Robert E. Stafford III (Sarah) of Lyman, Will "Buddy" McLeod of Columbia and Gail McLeod (Clint) of Pinewood; three great-grandchildren, Evelyn Elizabeth Stafford, Braxton Liebsly and Mikayla McLeod; three sisters, Vermelle Fisher, Linda Bradham (Bud) and Marena Spann (Johnny), all of Sumter; and a number of nieces and nephews.

Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. on Friday at Bethel United Methodist Church with the Rev. Tim Whited and the Rev. Mike Henderson officiating. Burial will be at the Bethel United Methodist Church cemetery.

Pallbearers will be Melvin E. Brown Jr., Jesse Logan, James L. Fisher Jr., Wesley Spann, Marshall Spann and Ryan Spann.

Honorary pallbearers will be Pedro Cooke, John M. Brown, Ira B. Parnell Jr. and Chris Holley.

The family will receive friends from 6 to 8 p.m. today at Elmore-Cannon-Stephens Funeral Home.

Memorials may be made to Bethel United Methodist Church, 5575 Lodebar Road, Sumter, SC 29153.

Elmore-Cannon-Stephens Funeral Home and Crematorium of Sumter is in charge of the arrangements.