Obituary for BISHOP SAMUEL LEE STAFFORD
Bishop Samuel L Stafford born on the l0th of July, 1931 in Barnesville, GA to Alec Stafford, and Lucille O'Neal, departed this life on the 15th of November, 2020 at the age of 89. Bishop was a veteran who served in the National Guard and the Marine Corps, he also awesomely received an honorable discharge after many years of meritorious service. Bishop was baptized in the name of Jesus and filled with the Holy Ghost in the early 60s, he was 31 years old when God called him into the ministry.
Bishop met Yvonne Stafford in 1978, he knew she was going to be his wife, and not long after July 1st, 1978 they were married. Nine months later in 1979 they started and founded Faith Tabernacle Holiness Church, they were set in as Pastor and Assistant Pastor. The church was first located on Parsons Ave and Oak Street later relocated to 1204 Saint Clair Avenue where it is still presently located today.
In the early 90s, Bishop became affiliated with Free Independent Organization, and on the 7th of August 2005 he was ordained a Bishop under Bishop Earnest Stewart Sr. Bishop loved preaching the word of God inside and outside the church, especially on Mount Vernon and 20th, he loved telling everybody about Jesus. He loved teaching and praying for anybody that would let him. He had the gift of prophesy and the gift of discernment. He was faithful to his calling a true man of God, he would always say “ ain’t God good “ and “ he brought me outta darkness into the marvelous light set my feet on a solid foundation”. Bishop Stafford was a mason builder by profession, a hard worker and provider for his family, Bishop and Mother Stafford became foster parents in the 1980's and fostered many children over twenty-five years, which led to the adoption of several children.
In all that Bishop did, his first and true love was Jesus. Bishop Stafford was preceded in death by Parents Alec Stafford and Lucille O'Neal, his loving wife: Yvonne Stafford, brothers: Lewis and Julian Stafford, sister: Martha Whitaker, son: Samuel Stafford Jr, and stepsons: Ricky and Jeremiah Gunn. He leaves to cherish his memory sister Linda Fierrara, son: Alan(Kathrene) Stafford, Eric (Christina) Stafford, Ray Stafford, Tommy (Dezyuan) Gunn, stepson: Michael Perry, daughters: Zabada(James)Lipcomb, Sylvia, Anne, Stafford, Tonya Ellison, stepdaughters: Doris Gunn, Yvonne (Irving) Gray, Kim Perry. He leaves behind twenty grandchildren, eighteen great-grandchildren a host of nieces, nephews, great-nieces, and great-nephews, church family, friends, loved ones, and every other life he touched.
Bishop met Yvonne Stafford in 1978, he knew she was going to be his wife, and not long after July 1st, 1978 they were married. Nine months later in 1979 they started and founded Faith Tabernacle Holiness Church, they were set in as Pastor and Assistant Pastor. The church was first located on Parsons Ave and Oak Street later relocated to 1204 Saint Clair Avenue where it is still presently located today.
In the early 90s, Bishop became affiliated with Free Independent Organization, and on the 7th of August 2005 he was ordained a Bishop under Bishop Earnest Stewart Sr. Bishop loved preaching the word of God inside and outside the church, especially on Mount Vernon and 20th, he loved telling everybody about Jesus. He loved teaching and praying for anybody that would let him. He had the gift of prophesy and the gift of discernment. He was faithful to his calling a true man of God, he would always say “ ain’t God good “ and “ he brought me outta darkness into the marvelous light set my feet on a solid foundation”. Bishop Stafford was a mason builder by profession, a hard worker and provider for his family, Bishop and Mother Stafford became foster parents in the 1980's and fostered many children over twenty-five years, which led to the adoption of several children.
In all that Bishop did, his first and true love was Jesus. Bishop Stafford was preceded in death by Parents Alec Stafford and Lucille O'Neal, his loving wife: Yvonne Stafford, brothers: Lewis and Julian Stafford, sister: Martha Whitaker, son: Samuel Stafford Jr, and stepsons: Ricky and Jeremiah Gunn. He leaves to cherish his memory sister Linda Fierrara, son: Alan(Kathrene) Stafford, Eric (Christina) Stafford, Ray Stafford, Tommy (Dezyuan) Gunn, stepson: Michael Perry, daughters: Zabada(James)Lipcomb, Sylvia, Anne, Stafford, Tonya Ellison, stepdaughters: Doris Gunn, Yvonne (Irving) Gray, Kim Perry. He leaves behind twenty grandchildren, eighteen great-grandchildren a host of nieces, nephews, great-nieces, and great-nephews, church family, friends, loved ones, and every other life he touched.