Shelby Gene Stafford, Sr.

Shelby Gene Stafford, Sr., age 84, resident of Somerville, Tennessee and husband of the late Shirley Smith Stafford, departed this life Saturday morning, January 11, 2025 at his home.

Shelby was born February 6, 1940 in Marks, Mississippi, the son of the late James Stafford and Jewel Faulkner Stafford. He was a painter for 60 years and a fireman for Yazoo City, Mississippi before his retirement. He was married January 27, 1962 to Shirley Smith Stafford who preceded him in death on January 28, 2002. Shelby was an outdoorsman who enjoyed hunting, fishing, gardening, barbecuing, family gatherings and watching basketball and football.

Mr. Stafford is survived by two sons, Shelby Stafford, Jr. and Bobby Stafford (Jean); three grandchildren, Jessica Lechner (Kevin), David Stafford and Devan Rodenheiser. In addition to his wife and parents, he was preceded in death by his son, James Randy Stafford; six sisters, Mary Smith, Alice Anthony, Laura Warf, Gladys Woods, Dorothy Berryhill and Betty Stafford; and his brother, John Stafford.

Funeral Services for Mr. Stafford were held at 2 P.M. Thursday, January 16, 2025 at the Peebles West Funeral Chapel at Oakland, Tennessee with Bro. Mike Hollaway, pastor of Bethlehem Baptist Church in Rossville, Tennessee, officiating. Interment followed in the Fayette County Memorial Park Cemetery on Highway 64.

The family requests that memorials be directed to Pat Summitt Foundation, 520 W. Summit Hill Drive SW #1101, Knoxville, TN 37902.