Ce{ef3ratin tfie Life OJ . '.. ::r-.:1 Theodore Stajford' 'Born Into Time: Seytemher 9, 1937 'Born Into Eternity: june 20, 2005 Saturday, June 25, 2005 1:00PM Donald Trimble Mortuary, Inc 1876 Second Avenue Decatur, GA 30032 Rev. Ulysses Newkirk, Officiating Tlie Obituary Theodore "Tedd" Stafford was born September 9, 1937. He was the first of four children, Theodore, Sharon Jean (later to become Ayisha Muhammad), Stephen Edward, and Marvin Louis, born to Theodore Lee Stafford and Elizabeth Taylor Stafford. Theodore Lee Stafford later formed a loving relationship with Christine Jackson. To this union was born two more siblings, Joyce Jackson, and Ronald Lee Stafford . Tedd attended Detroit Public Schools where it was discovered early that he was a very talented artist. As a very young artist, Tedd was the recipient of many awards and accolades, including the first prize in the Walker Poster Contest (held annually in the Detroit Public Schools). Art was very central to Tedd's life; it would become a defining factor in his life. As a client in a drug rehabilitation program, Tedd surprised his counselors by opting for an art school education in the place of a trade school education. He attended the Center for Creative Studies in Detroit, Michigan, majoring in graphic design. Upon completion of his education at the Center for Creative Studies, Tedd was employed by WTVS Public Television in Detroit, Michigan . Tedd 's design work won several awards in nation-wide competitions among Public Broadcasting System Designers . Tedd also designed the WTVS logo, which is still in use today . In 1963, Tedd married Essie Mae Maben , who preceded him to Glory. To this union was born Sheena, Serena, Stephanie, Kimberly, and Darryl. Tedd was a loving and caring husband and father. Tedd later met Diane Cenance, with whom he formed a loving relationship. To this union was born a daughter; Vena Cenance. After spending most of his life in his home town of Detroit, Michigan, in 1988 Tedd moved to Atlanta, Georgia, where he was employed by The Georgia Institute of Technology. Tedd developed many lasting friendships among his co-workers. He was also an avid jazz fan. It was at an outdoor jazz festival in Atlanta, where Tedd met Andrea Sharon Butcher, A. K.A. Neeka. The couple wed in 1992. Soon after, Neeka preceded Tedd to Glory. Tedd retired from Georgia Tech in 2002. In his retirement, Tedd continued to pursue many of his life's passions. He continued his painting, completing many projects for his family, friends, and associates. Tedd understood his God given talent and wanted to share it with others, volunteering his services as an Art Instructor teaching young men in the Juvenile Justice System techniques of drawing, painting and graphic design . He enjoyed and considered it a privilege as he sparked the flame that would ignite creativity and passion for the arts. Tedd firmly believed he could change the mindset or perception of the wayward youth through art, encouraging them to channel inward hostility through an outward expression of passion and beauty. Tedd's love of history and pride in his heritage inspired him to explore is family's roots in America; culminating in his 2004 pilgrimage back to Valdosta, and on to Cumberland Island. The pilgrimage to Cumberland Island was a homecoming where many Staffords discovered new and lost family ties, while examining the artifacts that tell the history of the Stafford slavery experience. Nowhere else are artifacts of the slave experience as well preserved as they are on Cumberland Island. Tedd, along with all who made the pilgrimage vowed to track down more Staffords who live on Cumberland Island and unite ancestors and descendants who share such a great heritage. Tedd continued to honor this vow until his call to Glory on June 20, 2005. Tedd leaves to cherish his memory four daughters, Sheena Louise Stafford of Detroit, Michigan, Serena Stafford and Vena Cenance, both of Atlanta , Georgia, and Stephanie Maben of Nashua, New Hampshire; one son , Darryl Blaine Stafford (Felecia) of Richmond , Virginia; three brothers, Stephen Edward Stafford of Stone Mountain , Georgia, Marvin Louis Stafford of Detroit, Mich igan , and Ronald Lee Stafford of Warren , Michigan ; one Aunt, Gertrude Stafford of Detroit, Mich igan ; thirteen grandchildren ; four great grandchildren ; and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, and many beloved friends. I' Order ofService Organ Prelude ............................. :.. . .. . .... :........ ....... . Processional ...................... .. .. ..... .... ... ....... ............. . Solo ..... ..... ... .."Pass Me Not"............ Ronald L. Stafford Scripture ......... ........ .. .. ........ ..... ....... Darryl B. Stafford Ecclesiastes 3: 1-8 Prayer...... ..... . ..... .. .. ...... .... ..... Deacon Wayne Seward Acknowledgement of Cards Telegrams, and Condolences ..... ... . .... ... ....... Deacon Wayne Seward Obituary.... ... .... .... .. .... ... .. ..... ..... Rev. Ulysses Newkirk Remarks .. . .... ................................................(Open) Solo...... "The Battle Is Not Yours"....... Ronald L. Stafford Eulogy.......................................Rev. Ulysses Newkirk Recessional .................................................. ....... .. . Organ Postlude...... ...... . ..... ......... . .. .... ......... ........... . I am the resurrection, and the life: he that believeth in me, though he were dead, yet shall he live. And whosoever liveth and believeth in me shall never die. St. John 11:25-26 *************** Daddy, you are and will always be my idol; you have always been an inspiration throughout my entire life. You have encouraged me with your words of wisdom and have accepted and loved me despite my flaws. Were it not for you , I would not be the woman that is before you today. You taught me to be responsible , caring and humble. I love you with all of my soul and I thank God for allowing me to have known a father such as you . Daddy you are and will always be my hero. Sleep peacefully my sweet prince until we see each other again . Love from your first born , Sheena *************** Thanks to my father for sharing and caring for me. Until God said ,"Tedd come on home." Yes it hurts me because I can't see you or talk to you. But hey, Dad , go home and be proud of your children . Peace and love always ! P.S. Do not forget to keep me in check when I'm getting read y to mess up. 2nd ch ild,daughter Love You Forever, Serena Stafford *************** I love you; I wish that we could capture time in a bottle; I can remember the times when we would dance and I would stand on your feet; I will continue to dance as I reminisce of our special moments through laughter, through crying and as I travel along through life's journey. As you go off to your journey, things will be better for you . Love Your Daughter, Stephanie *************** Dad , you once stated that I'm the man you always wanted to be and that I was your hero. If it had not been for your guidance, patience and love, I wouldn't be half the man I am today. Through the stages of my life, you used the tools necessary to mold me. I will continue to carry the torch for which you have prepared me. Thank you for entrusting it to me. I will instill the same principles/values in my children. It's my life's duty to pick up where you finished. In celebrating your life, I pledge an oath to you to make our name sake honorable and respectfully looked upon. You were more to me than a father, you were my Daddy, my friend and became my equal. For I am my father's seed and will carry you in my heart, mind , body, soul , spirit, decisions and every aspect of my being . Dad I've always honored you and looked only to you as my role model , hero and inspiration Love Your Son , Darryl. Oh Daddy, my rock my inspiration our magnificent hero. It's hard to believe that you are gone. I keep hearing your voice and seeing your face and remembering all of our precious moments. Dad you are the greatest man, I have ever known. I didn't realize exactly what I had. I'm guilty of having sometimes taken you for granted because I believed you 'd always be here. I thought that you'd never leave me. I often felt your life would surpass me and when you left it hit me. We're all flesh and blood we really die. We will all make the same transition someday. Oh my father, my father. This was truly shocking. We took you to the hospital and you never returned home. I couldn't fathom something like this ever happening to my Daddy. I wish I could take away your pain Daddy. I wanted to help you Daddy, it was as if someone took a knife and stuck it through my heart; having to watch you go through so much . I love you Daddy. I'm honored to have known you Father. It was truly a priv ilege and a blessing all in one. And now I say, God bless your soul Daddy. I love, thank, and appreciate our Holy Father above for allowing me to grace your presence and be a part of your life Father. From beg inning to end ; I shall persevere and rise above all obstacles that may fal l before me and never let them oppress me, for you Father... For I am you and you are me always. I'll love you Daddy always in life and even the after! ife. You r youngest girl , Vena *** * ** ** ******* Your clock is timeless now you will always be mega to me, Peaceful you are, Always in my heart and soul forever more. I love you monkey. Always Diane Pa{{bearers 'Brian Co[fier Xafifi{ Stafford Darry[ Stafford Jamar Stafford ]ame[[e Stafford Steyfien R. Stafford J{ower 13earers :friencis of tfie :fami[y Interment Xennedy :Memoria[(jardens 2500 River Road '.E[[enwooc[, (j.Jt 30294 .Arrangements 'Entrustec to Dona[dTrim6[e :Mortuary, Inc 1876 Second.Jtvenue Decatur, (j.Jt 30032 (404) 371-0772