Mary Catherine Stafford

Mary Catherine Leath Stafford was born in Plant CIty, Florida on February 14, 1941. She transitioned from this earthly life to her heavenly home on June 26, 2026 at the age of 85. She resided at 3825 Swindell Road, Plant City, Florida.

Mary Catherine was preceded in death by her husband, Lonell Stafford; her parents, Paul Henry and Annie Myrtle Leath; and her sisters, Geraldine Leath and Ernestine Leath Thompson, and Joyce Leath Bradberry.

She is survived by her sons, Rick Stafford (Janice) and Mark Stafford (Kristin), both of Lakeland; her sisters, Virginia Leath Gay of Brantley, Alabama, Faye Leath Hall (Chuck) of Plant City, and Barbara Leath of Plant City; and her brother Leroy Leath (Elaine) of Vero Beach.

She is also survived by three grandsons, Erick Stafford (Brenda), Blake Stafford, and Clayton Freidank; three granddaughters, Kayla Peters (Chad), Karlie Freidank, and Kenna Morris (Aiden); three great-grandsons, Aspen, Reed and Liam; and four great-granddaughters, Lily (Elisha), Dlesiree, Dhenisse, and Ellie.

Cathy was a devoted wife, mother, and grandmother who cherished her family. She worked at Stewart's Shoe Store in Plant City, Paradise Fruit Company as an Office Manager, and in the banking industry in Lakeland. She later retired from Publix after 17 years of service in the Corporate Office.

In the 1980's, she and Lonell purchased a cabin in Ela, North Carolina, just outside Cherokee, where they enjoyed spending time with family and friends. While attending Carpenter's Home Church, Cathy sang in the choir and participated in The Living Cross Easter production.

Cathy later became a faithful member of Plant City Church of God, where she devoted much of her time to the bus ministry, the choir, serving as Prayer Mother, and greeting members and visitors. She was a fierce prayer warrior and faithfully served on the church's prayer team.

Cathy enjoyed traveling and participating in ministry opportunities. Among her memorable experiences were attending the Brownsville Revival with Bunny Shelton, participating in a prayer conference in Toronto, Canada, ministering at a youth camp in Alaska, and traveling to Israel, where she was baptized in the Jordan River.

Mary Catherine was a faithful tither, a generous giver of her time and a woman of unwavering faith. Her love for God, family, and her church touched many lives and leaves a lasting legacy for all who knew her.

Visitation will be held at Plant City Church of God, 2103 Mud Lake Rd, Plant City, FL 33566, on July 1, 2026, from 10:00 am to 11:00 am, followed by the Funeral Service at the same location from 11:00 am to 12:00 pm.

In lieu of flowers, a donation can be made in her honor and memory to Tunnel 2 Towers.