Sanford Colona Stallings

Born on August, 20, 1926, Sanford Colona Stallings, died Sunday, October 29, at age 91, after a long illness. He leaves behind his loving wife, Mary (Winslow); daughter, Susan Stallings Crepeau; grandaughter, Cyndi (Bill) Funkhouser; great grands, Consuela (Danny) Agayoff, Nicholas, Brandon, and Andrew Crepeau, Brittany Waters, and Elijah Anderson; mothers and step-father of the grands, Renee and Luke Anderson and Juanita Columbia; one sister, Ica Ward; as well as many nieces, nephews, in-laws, friends and neighbors.

He was preceded in death by his parents, James Clinton and Lettie Fatina Nixon Stallings; a sister; two brothers; and his special grandson, Peter Norman "P.J." Crepeau, Jr. who died in 2009.

Sanford joined the Navy — just out of high school — in the middle of World War II. He served on a mine sweeper until the end of the war. They swept the coast during the Normandy Invasion.

Sanford and Mary married on November 23, 1946 and enjoyed almost 71 years together.

He was a talented mechanic and worked many years for the NC State Department of Transportation. He retired from there at the end of 1988.

A lover of flowers, he spent many happy days working in his yard and garden of camellias, azaleas, dogwoods, roses, daylilies, etc.

He was a faithful member of his church wherever the Lord placed him and served as a deacon in each church after he was ordained in Manteo Baptist Church in the late 1950's.

He was a faithful son, brother, father, and grandfather who will be greatly missed.

The family will receive friends from 10 to 11 a.m. Wednesday, Nov. 1st at Cotten Funeral Home, followed by the funeral service at 11 a.m. in the Chapel.

Memorials may be made to Tabernacle Baptist Church or your favorite charity.

Arrangements are by Cotten Funeral Home & Crematory.