W. Ray Stafford

Funeral services will be at 2 p.m. Wednesday at Collier-Butler Chapel for W. Ray Stafford, Southside, who went to be with his Lord and Savior on Sunday, Feb. 7, 2010. The Rev. Bill Harbison will officiate, with burial at Crestwood Cemetery. Collier-Butler Funeral and Cremation services directing.
Ray was born in Gadsden on Oct. 30, 1937, and lived here his entire life. He graduated from Gadsden High School and served in the U.S. Marines. In 1959, he married the love of his life, Melba Samples. He served as a firefighter for the city of Gadsden for 20 years, and retired as deputy chief. He cherished the friendships and memories of his days as a fireman. He then became a teacher in the Gadsden City Schools. He was a natural-born teacher and had a special way of communicating with the students. He later served on the Gadsden City Board of Education. He also taught at Westbrook Christian School and most recently at Gadsden State Community College as adult education instructor. After his health prevented him from teaching in the classroom, he became a tutor in his home.
Ray and Melba served in many churches during their life together. Ray served as choir director, and Melba always accompanied him on the piano. He was ordained as a deacon in 1978 at East Gadsden Baptist Church. In 1985, he accepted the call to preach and became the pastor of Walnut Park Baptist Church. He also pastored Reece City Baptist Church and filled the pulpit as interim at several local churches. He was currently a member of Riverbend Baptist Church.
Ray left an impression on everyone he met. He never met a stranger and truly loved getting to know people. He often recalled memories of his childhood on Noccalula Mountain and his and Melba's days on Blythe Street in East Gadsden. Ray always made sure to provide Christmas for needy families.
Ray was preceded in death by his beloved wife, Melba Samples Stafford; his parents, Jewell (Arthur) Brown; stepfather, John Garrard; father, David Ray Stafford; his parents-in-law, J.M. and Ruth Samples; sister, Judy Dobson; and brothers-in-law, Artie Dunn and Ronnie Bearden.
He is survived by his daughters and sons, Brian and Gina Harbison, Kristi Nichols, Lana and Ken Mummah, and Cheryl and Alan Moorer. The loves of his life were his grandchildren, Jessica Harbison and Caleb Thornton, Brittany and Beau Patton, Lauryn Mummah, Anna Stafford Nichols, Rebecca Moorer and his namesake, Carson Ray Moorer. He also leaves behind sisters, Jeanette (Ronnie) Poor, Linda Dunn and Sylvia Bearden; brother, John (Teresa) Garrard; sisters in-law, Lana (Johnny) Cannon and Judy (Butch) Filetti; brother-in-law, John (Bettye) Samples, Fulton Dobson; and a host of nieces, nephews and cousins.
Pallbearers will be all active and retired firefighters of the Gadsden Fire Department. Honorary pallbearers will be Randy Barksdale, Fred Christopher, Ralph Farrow, Dr. Don Hiltz, Don Mathis, Steve Means, Jerry Salvador, Norman Minton, Jerry Reaves, past and present staff of the Adult Education Department at GSCC, Rip Reagan, Ken Pharr and Tommie Cox.
A very special thank you to the staff of Lawley Drug and Medical, all of the wonderful people at Burtons of Southside, Dr. K. Clay Ellis and staff, Genny McCord, the ER staff at GRMC, Dr. Jason Ayres and Dr. M. Kaleem, the staff of the MICU and especially Rebecca Bostick, Scarlett Johnston and Kim McConnell.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be sent to United Way of Baldwin County, Annie Armstrong Easter Offering of your local church or the Gadsden Fire Department "Toys from Santa."
Visitation will be at Collier Butler from 5 to 8 tonight. Online condolences may be made at www.collier-butler.com.