Larry Stafford

SHERRILLS FORD, NC – Larry Joe Stafford, 62, of Sherrills Ford, NC, formerly of Princeton, fought a long, courageous battle with melanoma brain cancer. Surrounded by his loving family, he went to be with our Lord and Savior on Sunday morning, February 17, 2013. Born April 20, 1950 at Iaeger, he was the son of the late Estel Hoge Stafford and Selena Elizabeth Stafford Hypes. Mr. Stafford was a graduate of Gilbert High School in Gilbert. He served in the US Navy for four years of active duty and then transferred for two additional years to the Naval Reserves Unit. He completed a tour in Danang, Vietnam; received honorable discharge and was awarded the National Defense Service Medal, Vietnam Service Medal, Vietnam Campaign Medal and the Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal (Korea). After serving in the Navy, Larry became a long haul truck driver and owned and operated his own trucking company before moving to North Carolina in 2000. He went on to carry out his love for trucking working for Monroe Roadways, driving local for the rest of his career. On weekends, he hauled/transported race cars for mini-series race teams in the area where he was proud to put his passion for racing to use. He also enjoyed fishing, motorcycles, NASCAR, auto rebuilding and most of all spending time with his family. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by one son, Jerry Lee Lovell; one brother, Harold Ray Stafford; and one infant sister, Dianna Sue Stafford. Survivors include his loving and devoted wife of 33 years, Wanda Pierce Stafford of the home; one loving daughter, Angie Stafford of Huntersville, NC; five grandchildren, Jerry Lee Lovell, II, Robbie Lovell, Lee Lovell, Lindsay Lovell and Jason Lovell; two grandpups, Louie and Ella Stafford; step-mother, Marie Stafford of Princeton; two step-sisters, Debra Burnette of Princeton and Debbie Taylor of Wilmington, NC; step-father, Paul Hypes of Princeton; special uncle, Ray Stafford of Princeton; special aunts, Priscilla Larue of Princeton and Rhonda Greathouse of New Cumberland and special sisters-in-law, Debbie Stables, Terri Williams and Elaine Fuda and special brothers-in-law, Jackie Stables and Jimmy Pierce whom he referred to as his brothers and sisters. They all loved, cared and stood by him all the way through his 13 year battle with cancer until the end. Memorial contributions may be made to the American Cancer Society. Serving as pallbearers will be Jackie Stables, Richard Leeper, James Chaffins, Josh Sink, Eugene Vest and Kenny Chester. Honorary pallbearers will include Jimmy Pierce, Jamie Pierce, Jerry Siner, Kris Fortner, Keith Sigmon, Nick Mann and Gary Ruth. Funeral services will be conducted at 11:00 a.m. Wednesday, February 20, 2013 at the Rowland H. Bailey Funeral Chapel of the Bailey-Kirk Funeral Home in Princeton with Pastor Erma Jean Hudgins and the Rev. Larry Dyer officiating. Entombment will follow at the Roselawn Memorial Gardens Mausoleum in Princeton where military honors will be conducted by the Mercer County Veterans Honor Guard and the Navy Honor Guard. The family will receive friends Wednesday, February 20, 2013 from 10:00 a.m. until service hour at the Bailey-Kirk Funeral Home in Princeton. To view a video tribute to Mr. Stafford, or send the family online condolences, please visit www.bailey-kirk.com. * Click here to view a video memorial tribute to Mr. Stafford.

Tributes

Larry Stafford

February 17, 2013