Silver Story: Evelyn Serena Stafford
(Permission was given from her family to share her obituary)
Our Board Chair, Cindy Johnson, was very close with Mrs. Stafford and her family. Mrs. Stafford had a very special place in her life and she wants to share the legacy of this remarkable woman with our Graceland Center Community as we celebrate her life!
Mrs. Evelyn Serena Smith Stafford, 103 years of age, was a long -time resident of Peoria, Illinois. Evelyn Stafford graduated from Manual Training High School in Muskogee, Oklahoma, Valedictorian of her class. In 1942 Evelyn received her Bachelor of Science degree in Education, from Illinois State University in Bloomington, Illinois, majoring in home economics. Evelyn received her master’s degrees in special education and speech therapy from Bradley University in Peoria, Illinois, where she lived for over 60 years.
Evelyn was a World War II veteran, who had enlisted in the Women’s Army Auxiliary Corps and was stationed at Fort Des Moines, Iowa. Commissioned as a 2nd Lieutenant, she was sent on assignment to Fort Huachuca, Arizona, where she met and married then 2nd Lieutenant James B. Stafford, Jr. Evelyn and the lieutenant, Dr. James B. Stafford, O.D., were married 79 years before his death on May 5, 2023.
Evelyn Stafford worked for the state of Illinois for over 36 years and retired in 1986. She was an adjunct professor at Illinois Central College and Bradley University, teaching African-American Studies and the Exceptional Child in the education departments. Evelyn began a second career as a licensed real estate agent, selling real estate for eleven years before retiring a second time. Evelyn served on numerous boards and committees. She was a faithful member of Mt. Zion Baptist Church where she worshiped for over 60 years and served as a Deaconess and a Sunday school teacher among other roles and assignments.
Upon her transition, Evelyn Serena Smith Stafford joined her beloved husband, Jim (Dr. James B. Stafford, Jr.) and leaves her love and spirit to one daughter, Sylvia Victoria (Ernest, Jr.) Thompson of Detroit, MI; one son, James B. (Melanie) Stafford III, of Memphis, TN; four grandchildren; five great grandchildren; one niece, Carol Walker, of Los Angeles, CA; and a host of other family and friends who love and miss her. She was also preceded in death by her parents and one sister, Kathryn Maynard.