Rev. Jackie Stafford

Rev. Jackie "Jack" Taylor Stafford, 86, of Gastonia, passed away October 2, 2020 at Carolina Care in Cherryville.

A Gaston County native, he was born February 16, 1934, son of the late Judson and Jessie Stafford.

He served as Pastor for Horse Shoe Baptist Church in Hendersonville, NC, Lake View Baptist Church in McAdenville, NC, and Spring Branch Baptist Church in Nichols, SC.  He served in various churches as pastor after his retirement and continued serving in churches for over 52 years.  He also worked for several years at Gaston Skills in Gastonia NC.

He loved to sing and sang for many years with the Golden Chorus in Gastonia, NC. He was a member of Unity Baptist Church where he was the men's Bible Class teacher, sang in the choir, and was a deacon.  He loved yard work and took pride in his yard work.

He was a US Air Force veteran who served during the Korean War.

In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his sister Betty S. Sipe.

Left to cherish his memories are his wife of 65 years, Nancy H. Stafford; son, David Dineen Stafford and wife Pam of Dallas; daughter, Jacinda (Cindy) Stroupe and husband David of Cherryville; grandchildren, Tera S. Francis and husband Ben, Bethany S. Jeffers and husband Daniel, Mary Catherine Stroupe, and Caroline Stroupe; great-grandchildren, Elijah (Eli) Stafford Francis, Haddon Francis, Addison-Claire Francis, and Harper Jeffers; sisters, Sue S. Gibson of Gastonia, and Donna S. Baucom of Winston Salem.

A special Thank You to the staff at Carolina Care Health and Rehabilitation, Cherryville for the loving care provided to our father and our mother.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be sent to Unity Baptist Church, 428 N. Myrtle School Rd., Gastonia, NC 28052.

Services will be private.