Anita Joye Stafford, 91, of Fitzgerald, Georgia, died Friday, October 16, 2026, at Maple Court Senior Care in Tifton, Georgia.
Graveside services will be held 10 AM Saturday, October 24, 2026, at the Evergreen Cemetery in Fitzgerald with Phill Beach officiating. The family will greet friends following the service at the cemetery.
Mrs. Stafford was born September 18, 1935, in Fitzgerald, Georgia to the late John William & Allene Louise Hawthron Beall. She graduated from Fitzgerald High School and obtained her Bachelors in Education from Brenau’s Women’s College in Gainesville, Georgia. Mrs. Stafford taught 1st grade for Ben Hill County School System until her retirement and continued working as a substitute for some time. She enjoyed scrapbooking but most of all spending time with her family. Mrs. Stafford was a member of Central Wesleyan Church in Fitzgerald.
She is survived by her children: Debbie Stafford Beach & Phill, Beth Stafford Renschler & Ralph, Bill Stafford & Michele and Sharon Stafford Eckler & Tony; grandchildren: Joye Bell & Carlo, Wrena Almon & Jon, Kaitlyn Renschler, Ryan Renschler & his fiance’ Hanna, Brittany Stafford Sit & Steven, Blake Stafford, Chase Eckler & Natalie, Chandler Eckler & his fiance’ Anna, Lynnsey Eckler Mastenbrook & Cameron, Jody & Joe Vanden Bosch, Misty Rogers & Paul, and Sam Beach & Mandy; great-grandchildren: Christian Bell, Jaiden Almon, Paxton Sit, Adley Eckler and Micah Eckler; a sister-in-law, Joanna Rivers Stafford; and nieces: Teresa Hickox & Jim and Sabrina Loparo & Bennett. In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband Pat Stafford; a brother-in-law, Art Stafford and a son-in-law, Perry Eason.
Paulk Funeral Home, Fitzgerald, is in charge of arrangements.