Esther Stafford

Esther Catherine Wilson Stafford HARRISBURG – Catherine Stafford, age 86, quietly left this earth on Wednesday, June 8, 2011. A Memorial Service to celebrate her life will be held at 2:00pm, Saturday, June 11, 2011 at Harrisburg Presbyterian Church. The family will receive friends beginning at 1:00pm in the fellowship hall at Harrisburg Presbyterian Church, prior to the service. Catherine was born in Sampson County North Carolina on March 19, 1925, the first of seven children to the late Jesse Orange Wilson and Esther Lee Wilson. She grew up in Spivey’s Corner and graduated from Plainview High School, valedictorian of her class. She grew up with strong family values and, as the oldest child of a farming family, learned about hard work early in life. Catherine developed a work ethic that carried over into everything she did in life. She began college at just 16 and completed her education at 20, obtaining her degree from East Carolina University. She then began a career with a passion that lasted until her retirement. Some would say she was destined to become an educator like her mother, but making a difference in a child’s present and future through quality education was her motivation. She came to Harrisburg after completing her college education to teach at the local high school. World War II ended while she was teaching in Harrisburg. When the handsome son of the boarding house owner came home from the war and met the young, energetic teacher from Sampson County, a lifelong relationship began. They were married in July, 1949 and had 59 wonderful years together. Catherine was involved in several organizations and took on leadership roles. She organized the first 4H club in Harrisburg. She was heavily involved in the formation, and later became president, of the local Business and Professional Women. When the Town of Harrisburg incorporated, she was one of the first town council members. In her later years, she was an active member of the Retired Teachers Association as well as several other organizations. She was a very active member of Harrisburg Presbyterian Church, serving as Sunday School Teacher, President of the Women of the Church, and contributed in numerous other ways. At home, Catherine was always busy. Gardens to tend, vegetables to can or freeze, sewing clothes for the family, making those meals and desserts that everyone enjoyed, she was rarely idle. She lived life in a meaningful way and with a purpose. She will be greatly missed. Catherine was preceded in death by her husband, Caldwell Query Stafford, and her brothers, Jesse Orange Wilson, Jr., and George Robert Wilson. She is survived by: her daughter, Cathie Stafford; her son, Howard Stafford and his wife, Susan Howie Stafford; and daughter, Daphne Stafford Williams and her husband, Jeff Williams. She is also survived by her four grandchildren and two great grandchildren, Daniel Stafford and his wife, Karen Denton Stafford and their son, Owen Stafford; Lisa Stafford Brady and her husband, Greg Brady and their daughter, Kate Brady; Devon Williams and Mark Williams. She is also survived by three sisters and one brother: Frances Wilson Massey, Hattie Wilson Dietzel, Dixie Wilson Duncan Batten, and David Wilson. Memorials may be made to American Diabetes Association, 222 S. Church Street, Suite 336M, Charlotte, NC 28202, www.diabetes.org or Harrisburg Presbyterian Church, P.O. Box 310, Harrisburg, NC 28075. Hartsell Funeral Home of Concord will be serving the Stafford family. Online condolences may be made at www.hartsellfh.com.