Paul Allen Stafford

Paul Allen Stafford, age 83, of Hendersonville, Tennessee passed away on Tuesday, October 10, 2023 at Hendersonville Medical Center.  Paul was born on May 5, 1940 in Ada, Oklahoma.  He was one of three children born to J.B. and Pauline Swift Stafford, both deceased.  His youngest brother, Ronnie Delbert Stafford, passed away as an infant only a few days old.  His older brother, Jack Alonzo Stafford, died on January 9, 2015 at the age of 78.

In Paul’s early years, his family lived in Ada, Oklahoma, Atlanta, Georgia, High Point, North Carolina, Millersville, Tennessee, and Nashville, Tennessee.

His youngest brother died on December 2, 1942, which was ironic in the fact that Paul and Paulette’s son, Ronnie Allen Stafford, was born on that date 20 years later in 1962.

Paul’s father died on February 27, 1951, in the Veterans Hospital in Nashville from a heart attack at the age of 36.  His maternal grandparents also died in 1951 around the same time.

Paul had been visiting his aunt and uncle, Delbert and Eva Stafford, on Pumpkin Branch in Trousdale County, Tennessee.  Paul was 11 years old when his father died.  That summer, Paul began living with his aunt and uncle. He attended Trousdale County High School, leaving his Senior year before he graduated.  Paul grew up on a farm and knew the meaning of hard work.  His early working years were at Jacob Packing House in Nashville, Tennessee.

Paul had many girlfriends in his teen years which he loved to share.  On June 9, 1962, he married the love of his life, Alma Paulette Walrond Stafford.  In 2023, they celebrated 61 years together.  In 1962, Paul began his career as a truck driver.  In his and Paulette’s early years together, they lived in apartments in Nashville.  One of the apartments was on Shelby Street where he was able to walk to work at White Motor Express since they didn’t own a car.  That changed very quickly.  Their son, Ronnie, was born while living in Nashville.  They built a new house in Goodlettsville, Tennessee.  Their daughter, Penny Lynn Stafford, was born while living in Goodlettsville.  They later bought a house in Lafayette, Tennessee.  He and Paulette commuted back and forth to their jobs for several years.  They later moved back to Goodlettsville and then bought a house in Hendersonville, where they have resided for 50 years,

Paul and Paulette kidded with each other, that it took both of them to make a whole.  He was always a hard worker, which he continued as long as he lived.  He was a Christian and was a member of Gallatin First Church of the Nazarene and a member of Wade Power’s Sunday School Class, Fireside Class, for many years.  Paul was the patriarch of the Stafford family that his wife, his children, his granddaughter, looked to him for advice all of their lives.  He loved to play golf, fish, RV, and travel with his family.  He loved watching Titan’s and UT football.  Paul was a 32^nd Mason the Masonic Lodge of Hillsdale, Tennessee, which he was a member for more than 60 years.  He also loved his plants, trees, squirrels, bird feeders, humming birds, and all things nature.

Paul was proceeded in death by his father, J.B. Stafford, his mother, Pauline Swift King, his brothers, Ronnie Delbert and Jack Alonzo Stafford.  He is survived by his wife, Alma Paulette Walrond Stafford, of more than 61 years; his son, Ronnie Stafford; his daughter, Penny Lynne Stafford DiPiazza (Robert); granddaughter, Tiffany Loyd (Tyler); great-granddaughter, Lily Brewer.  He is also survived by a nephew, Jack(ie) A. Stafford (Phyllis) and several other relatives.

Visitation will be held on Saturday, October 14, 2023 from 12:00 p.m. until 2:00 p.m. with Funeral Service immediately following visitation at Hendersonville Funeral Home.  Burial will take place at Hendersonville Memory Gardens.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to Hendersonville Church of the Nazarene's Food Pantry Program (https://thecove.breezechms.com/give/online).