Loretta Young Stafford

Loretta Young Stafford was born September 9, 1930 in Weleetka, Oklahoma and began her eternal rest in the arms of the Almighty God, March 11, 2012, in Phoenix, Arizona. Her physical battle was long, but her spirit was never defeated. She lives in eternal grace and in our hearts. Loretta was preceded in death by her father, Noah Seabern Young, her mother, Pauline Kellette Young, and her brother Eular Martin Young. She is survived by her husband, Finis Stafford, son Gil Stafford (Catherine), daughter Dinah Stafford, sisters Ginnie Caylor (Dean) and Virginia Parks, grandchildren, Neil Stafford (Jennifer), Alicia Escobar (Phil), great grandson, Cole Seabern Stafford, and many nieces, nephews, and great and grand nieces and nephews. Loretta married Finis, her beloved soul mate, on August 18, 1948 at her parent’s home outside of Elk City, Oklahoma. Loretta graduated from Southwestern Oklahoma State University with a BA. Then Loretta, Finis and children moved to Arizona in 1960, where she began her teaching career at Sullivan School in the Murphy Elementary School District. After three years she moved to Holiday Park in the Cartwright Elementary School District where she taught second grade for twenty-six years. She received her Master’s in Reading Education from Arizona State University. Loretta was the consummate teacher and a voracious reader. In 2002, she wrote her own book, Dinah’s Story: The Struggles and Triumphs of Parenting a Child with Prader-Willi Syndrome. Loretta was a mentor to many parents, helping them manage life with special-needs children. In retirement, Loretta and Finis spent their summer days in Prescott, where they had built a beautiful family home. They also traveled extensively in the States and abroad. Her favorite trip was to Ireland, her ancestral home. Throughout Loretta’s life she was a faithful Christian and churchwoman, teaching Sunday school and leading woman’s groups. Services will be held Saturday, March 17, 2012, 10:30 AM, at First Southern Baptist Church, Buckeye, Arizona, 405 N. 3rd Street. Viewing one hour prior to the service. Internment will follow at Phoenix Memorial Park, 200 West Beardsley Rd, Phoenix, Arizona. In lieu of flowers please send donations to “Dinah’s Scholarship Fund,” benefiting education students at Grand Canyon University, Canyon Institute, 3101 N. Central Ave. Ste. 1490, Phoenix, AZ 85012. Condolences to the family may be left at www.phoenixmemorialmortuary.com