Howard Lee Stafford

82 year old Howard Lee Stafford of Sparta died Saturday night at Highland Medical Center in Sparta. He was a U.S. Army Veteran having served in the Korean Conflict. He was also retired from Dacco, Inc. and a member of the Pistole Baptist Church in Sparta. The funeral will be Tuesday at 11:00 a.m. at the Chapel of Love-Cantrell Funeral Home. Harlan Simmons will officiate and burial will be in the Scott Red Hill Cemetery in Jackson County with full military honors. Visitation will be Monday from noon until 9:00 p.m. and Tuesday from 9:00 a.m. until the service at 11:00 a.m. Stafford was preceded in death by his parents, Herman and Myrtle Lou Scott Stafford; a son, Richard Stafford; a step-brother, J.B. Pigg; a sister-in-law, Lana Scott; a brother-in-law, Frank Hutchins; and a nephew, David Scott. He is survived by his wife, Janice Hutchings Stafford of Sparta. Five daughters, Angie and husband Cliff Harber of Knoxville, Trya Rodgers of Sparta, Kim Corson of Ohio, Debra and husband Sonny Grenko of Ohio, and Pamela Brown of Ohio. One son, Howard “Bogie” Stafford of Ohio. Six grandchildren, Ashlee, Megan and Taylor Rodgers all of Sparta, Matthew Grenko, Mandy Stafford, and Tyler Stafford all of Ohio. Two great grandchildren, Alexis Stafford and Chris Watts both of Ohio. Love-Cantrell Funeral Home is in charge of the arrangements. The family asks that donations be made to the funeral home to help with burial expenses, in lieu of flowers.