Joe Stafford

Joe Stafford VALDESE Joe R. Stafford, 71, of Valdese died on Monday, March 14, 2011 at his residence. Born Sept. 26, 1939 in Mitchell County, he was a son of the late Thomas Stafford and Lucille Pittman Stafford. Joe was a member and Deacon at Lakeview Baptist Church. He worked as a butcher at Childers Market for over 20 years, and then retired from Food Lion. In addition to his parents, Joe was preceded in death by his wife, Lora Ellis Stafford; and a brother, Virgil Stafford. He is survived by his son and daughter-in-law, Tim and Edith Stafford of Valdese; mother-in-law, Mildred Ellis of Hickory; a brother and his wife, Don and Mary Stafford of Spruce Pine; sister-in-law and her husband, Linda and Daniel Briggs of Hickory; a brother-in-law, Larry Ellis of Morganton; niece and her husband, Sharon and Richard Bumgarner, and nephew, Eric Briggs, all of Hickory; a family friend, Kellie Stroup of Morganton; and Joe's canine companion, Bruno. Funeral services will be held at 2 p.m. on Thursday, March 17, 2011 in the Colonial Chapel of Sossoman Funeral Home with Rev. Patrick Mourglea officiating. Burial will follow at Burke Memorial Park. The family will receive friends on Wednesday from 5 until 7 p.m. at the funeral home. Memorial contributions may be made to the American Diabetes Association, 222 South Church St., Suite 336M, Charlotte, N.C. 28202. Condolences may be made online at www. sossomanfuneralservice.com.