Obituary for Genieve "Genny" Stafford
The life and legacy of our beloved Mother Genieve Williams Stafford began on Tuesday, April 1, 1941 in Wewahitchka, Florida to the late Eark and Willie Mae Williams. She was affectionately known by her family and friends as “Genny”. Genieve married her high school sweetheart and love of her life Nathaniel Stafford Jr., and were married for 50+ years and to this union nine children were born. Committed to the Lord, Mother and Deacon Stafford reared their children in the doctrine and teachings of holiness. During the time of segregation
she attended the Folkston Colored School of Charlton County.
Genieve was a beautiful and loving wife, mother, grandmother, great grandmother and great great grandmother. She loved her family and friends unconditionally, and was always there to lend a helping hand. She was a lady with class, grace and style who loved to shop and dress stylishly. She was an excellent cook, and her work ethics included many years of service at the Victory House and many other places of business. Given to hospitality, she always welcomed guest to her home from far and near for her good home-style cooking. She also loved doing private caterings, which included events for the House of God Saints in Christ, Inc. Her famous chicken and dressing recipe was always requested in many homes for the holidays. Two world renowned Pastors (Pastor Beverly and Todd Crawford of Gainesville, Florida and Pastor John F. Hannah of (Chicago, Illinois) were blessed by her cooking.
Mother Stafford was saved and filled with the Holy Ghost at Jerusalem Holiness Church House of God Saints in Christ, Inc. in 1969 under the leadership of our 1st Chief Apostle, Bishop Nick Hightower Sr. She served faithfully and tirelessly on the usher board as a doorkeeper for over 50+ years and held office of president until her passing for 44 years. Her motto was “Together We Stand, Divided We Fall”. Her life was all about showing love. She would always say, “You can’t talk love, you have to show love.”
She was preceded in death by her parents, Eark and Willie Mae Williams, her husband Deacon Nathaniel Stafford Jr., one daughter, Vanessa Jenkins, two sons, Nathaniel Stafford III and McGarrett Stafford, one sister and brother in law, Frankie Mae and George Lambert, 1 brother and 1 sister in law, Johnny and Catherine Stafford.
Mother Stafford passed away peacefully surrounded by her family on June 1, 2022.
She leaves to cherish her memories: two daughters, Jennifer (Brad) Milton of Folkston, Ga., Melissa (Anthony) Melton of Jacksonville, Fla., five sons, Timothy Stafford (Malinda), Ervin (Suzanne) Stafford, Adam (Ethel) Stafford, all of Folkston, Ga., Dennis Stafford of Dallas Texas and Devontae Stafford of Atlanta, Ga., host of grandchildren, great-grandchildren, great great grandchildren, special grandchildren, Catrina Stafford, Sabrina Hills, Samandra Bender, Jada Stafford, Karalisa Staffored, Jonathan Ferguson, Ambriya Armstrong, Donovan Bolden, Ervin Stafford Jr. and Specialist Patrick Milton one brother, Willie (Diane) Williams of Folkston, Ga., two sisters, Nellie (Gardene) Allison of Jacksonville, Fla., and Lovie (Charlie) Davis of Folkston, Ga., like a daughter, Marilyn Smiley, a close friend, Barbara Smiley, a devoted Pastor that she loved like her own son, Elder Terrance Pender, the Usher Board and members of Jerusalem Holiness Church, a host of nieces, nephews, cousins and friends.
One could always expected a word of encouragement and wisdom that would come the heart of Mother Stafford. Mother was a leader, counselor, advisor and a friend. She served her family and church with distinction and dignity. She will always be in our hearts forever
There will not be a wake. Remains will lie in state one hour prior to services, 1-2 pm on Saturday, June 11, 2022 at the church.
Funeral services will be held on Saturday, June 11, 2022 at 2 pm, at Jerusalem Holiness Church Of God In Christ, 6 Mt. Carmel Drive, Folkston, Ga. Interment in Mt. Carmel Cemetery.
Everyone planning to attend services, masks are required. You will not be allowed in the service without a mask. No Mask, No Entry. This is to keep everyone safe as Covid numbers are on the rise again. Your cooperation in this matter is greatly appreciated.
For those unable to attend services, you will be able to watch the live stream at: royalfuneralhomeinc.com
she attended the Folkston Colored School of Charlton County.
Genieve was a beautiful and loving wife, mother, grandmother, great grandmother and great great grandmother. She loved her family and friends unconditionally, and was always there to lend a helping hand. She was a lady with class, grace and style who loved to shop and dress stylishly. She was an excellent cook, and her work ethics included many years of service at the Victory House and many other places of business. Given to hospitality, she always welcomed guest to her home from far and near for her good home-style cooking. She also loved doing private caterings, which included events for the House of God Saints in Christ, Inc. Her famous chicken and dressing recipe was always requested in many homes for the holidays. Two world renowned Pastors (Pastor Beverly and Todd Crawford of Gainesville, Florida and Pastor John F. Hannah of (Chicago, Illinois) were blessed by her cooking.
Mother Stafford was saved and filled with the Holy Ghost at Jerusalem Holiness Church House of God Saints in Christ, Inc. in 1969 under the leadership of our 1st Chief Apostle, Bishop Nick Hightower Sr. She served faithfully and tirelessly on the usher board as a doorkeeper for over 50+ years and held office of president until her passing for 44 years. Her motto was “Together We Stand, Divided We Fall”. Her life was all about showing love. She would always say, “You can’t talk love, you have to show love.”
She was preceded in death by her parents, Eark and Willie Mae Williams, her husband Deacon Nathaniel Stafford Jr., one daughter, Vanessa Jenkins, two sons, Nathaniel Stafford III and McGarrett Stafford, one sister and brother in law, Frankie Mae and George Lambert, 1 brother and 1 sister in law, Johnny and Catherine Stafford.
Mother Stafford passed away peacefully surrounded by her family on June 1, 2022.
She leaves to cherish her memories: two daughters, Jennifer (Brad) Milton of Folkston, Ga., Melissa (Anthony) Melton of Jacksonville, Fla., five sons, Timothy Stafford (Malinda), Ervin (Suzanne) Stafford, Adam (Ethel) Stafford, all of Folkston, Ga., Dennis Stafford of Dallas Texas and Devontae Stafford of Atlanta, Ga., host of grandchildren, great-grandchildren, great great grandchildren, special grandchildren, Catrina Stafford, Sabrina Hills, Samandra Bender, Jada Stafford, Karalisa Staffored, Jonathan Ferguson, Ambriya Armstrong, Donovan Bolden, Ervin Stafford Jr. and Specialist Patrick Milton one brother, Willie (Diane) Williams of Folkston, Ga., two sisters, Nellie (Gardene) Allison of Jacksonville, Fla., and Lovie (Charlie) Davis of Folkston, Ga., like a daughter, Marilyn Smiley, a close friend, Barbara Smiley, a devoted Pastor that she loved like her own son, Elder Terrance Pender, the Usher Board and members of Jerusalem Holiness Church, a host of nieces, nephews, cousins and friends.
One could always expected a word of encouragement and wisdom that would come the heart of Mother Stafford. Mother was a leader, counselor, advisor and a friend. She served her family and church with distinction and dignity. She will always be in our hearts forever
There will not be a wake. Remains will lie in state one hour prior to services, 1-2 pm on Saturday, June 11, 2022 at the church.
Funeral services will be held on Saturday, June 11, 2022 at 2 pm, at Jerusalem Holiness Church Of God In Christ, 6 Mt. Carmel Drive, Folkston, Ga. Interment in Mt. Carmel Cemetery.
Everyone planning to attend services, masks are required. You will not be allowed in the service without a mask. No Mask, No Entry. This is to keep everyone safe as Covid numbers are on the rise again. Your cooperation in this matter is greatly appreciated.
For those unable to attend services, you will be able to watch the live stream at: royalfuneralhomeinc.com