Nitalene Stafford's Obituary
Nita Stafford went home to be with Jesus on Friday, March 15, 2019. Nita was 88 years old. Nita was born March 21, 1930 to Benjamin Franklin Waldron Sr. And Gertrude Corley Waldron in Gibsland, Louisiana. The family moved to East Texas soon after, where Nita and her brothers and sisters grew up together and attended school.
In 1950 Nita met the love of her life, Sid Stafford, in Raymondville, Texas, in the Rio Grande Valley, when she accepted her first teaching job after graduating from East Texas Baptist College in Marshall Texas. They were married at Little Flock Baptist Church on June 4, 1951.
Nita and Sid made their home in Raymondville for the first few years where Sid farmed cotton. The couple had 3 daughters, Beverly, Brenda and Beth. The moved to Hallsville, Texas in 1964 where Nita taught elementary school in Hallsville for 22 years before retiring.
Nita and her husband Sid loved gardening and spent many hours planting, harvesting, and putting up vegetables. They were known for their beautiful garden and they shared vegetables with many in the church and community as well as family.
Nita was very active at First Baptist Church Hallsville and she cooked many meals for those who were sick or had lost loved ones. She visited and prayed for those in need.
She was a loving mom, grandmother and great grandmother and fixed many wonderful meals, of which the favorite was her fried chicken.
Nita is preceded in death by her parents, Benjamin and Gertrude Waldron, sister Elizabeth Keasler, brother Philmore Waldron, sister-in-law Francis Waldron, grandson Chad Johnson and great grandson Alistair Valera.
Nita is survived by her loving husband, Sid Stafford, her three daughters and their spouses, Beverly Johnson and husband Tillman Johnson, Brenda Barth and husband Jon Barth, Beth Edwards and husband Ron Edwards, seven grandchildren and their spouses, Ashley and James Spurlock, Jennifer Banks Johnson and husband Robert Smith, Miranda and Jonathan Valera, Thomas and Sara Barth, Charity and Matt Brisco, Rachel and Jay Shuler, Caleb Edwards, nine great grandchildren, Emma Spurlock, Isaac Spurlock, Banks Smith, George Valera, Amelia Barth, Lucas Brisco, Sidney Brisco, Desia Shuler, and Carson Shuler.
Nita is also survived by her sister, Bobbie Godwin and husband Jimmy and by her brother B.F. Waldron Jr. and wife Marilyn.
The family wishes to express appreciation to Traditions Hospice of Longview for their wonderful care of Nita and family. We especially thank Jesi, Heather, Allison, Diane and Brenda for their loving tender care. Thank you also to the caregivers, Gena, Charlotte, Shirley and Lana who lovingly cared for mom at home. Thank you also to First Baptist Church Hallsville for all their prayers, meals, visits and loving support.
In lieu of flowers the family requests donations be made to First Baptist Church Hallsville at P.O. Box 359, Hallsville, Texas 75650 or Traditions Hospice of Longview at 4362 U.S. Hwy 259 N. Longview, Texas 75605.
Visitation will be at Rader Funeral Home on Tuesday, March 19, 2019 from 5:30 P.M. to 7:00 P.M. A Celebration of Life Service will be held at First Baptist Church Hallsville on Wednesday, March 20, 2019 at 10:00 A.M.
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