Mrs. Mabel Stafford

Mabel Stallings Stafford, age 92 born December 7, 1920 in Nashville, TN, residing at her son's and daughter-in-law's residence in Fairway, Kansas (formerly of Columbia, SC from 1971-2012) passed to our Lord at 4:55 am on November 20, 2013 in her bed at home with her husband and best friend of 68 years, son, daughter-in-law and Hospice Chaplin. Mabel had resisted her colon/rectum cancer through 4 operations over the last 4 years. After two operations in August and September of 2013, and 3 months of rehabilitation, God granted Mabel's wish to walk again and returned home to her family on October 31, 2013. On November 10th, she celebrated at home her husband's 93rd and grandson John's 31st birthdays with her family; son Bill and wife, granddaughter Christin, husband and great grandsons Luke and Drew, John's wife and great granddaughter Lauren, previous daughter-in-law and mother of Mabel's grandchildren. The following day, Monday, was Veteran's Day which was one of her most beloved holidays due to her husband's long military service and love of our soldiers developed during WW II in Washington, D.C. as a military civil servant. That day her doctor at the University of Kansas National Cancer Center informed her that the extreme pain she was having in her right shoulder was from the spread of the cancer into the bone and was terminal. Upon coming home, Mabel prayed to Our Heavenly Father to have mercy on her and granted her request. "Please LORD not to allow me to suffer a long painful death but call me home to be with Jesus." Eight days later she passed peacefully to her heavenly father that she had loved so much while doing His work on this earth.
Mabel was a devoted wife and mother of two children, Bill and Tom (deceased in 1974). Mabel loved to be active in her community and volunteered her time at church, local theaters, Fort Jackson hospital, Columbia Newcomers Club and the Republican Woman's club.
In addition to the family mentioned previously, she is preceded by her only remaining brother, and his family in Michigan.
A grave side service is planned for November 27 at 12:30 PM at Leavenworth National Cemetery, 150 Muncie Road, Leavenworth, KS 66048.
Memorial contributions can be made to The United Methodist Church of the Resurrection (COR). Contributions will be added to a perpetual fund to celebrate Mabel's heart for helping that is being established to provide assistance to local individuals and families in immediate need.

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