“font-family: Verdana; line-height: 13px;”>Mrs. Johnnie Ruth Stafford was born October 18, 1918 in “font-family: Verdana; line-height: 13px;”>. She was the oldest of nine siblings born to the union of Johnny Alston and Maggie Thomas-Miller, all of whom preceded her in death.
“font-size: 9.0pt; line-height: 115%; font-family: Verdana;”>She received her formal education through the Tupelo Public School System.
“font-size: 9.0pt; line-height: 115%; font-family: Verdana;”>Johnnie professed Christ early in her life and she was a longtime, faithful member of the Greater Mount Carmel Missionary Baptist Church during the leadership of the late Rev. Earl Nance, Sr. until her health began to fail and she could no longer attend services.
“font-size: 9.0pt; line-height: 115%; font-family: Verdana;”>She was joined in Holy Matrimony with Oscar Davis, and to that union James Robert Davis was born. Both Oscar, James and a granddaughter, Denise, preceded her in death. Later she was joined in Holy Matrimony with Jimmie Stafford, who preceded her in death.
“font-size: 9.0pt; line-height: 115%; font-family: Verdana;”>She was employed by a laundry service for many years and although she worked for others, she always had an entrepreneurial spirit, which led her to open her own resale shop.
“font-size: 9.0pt; line-height: 115%; font-family: Verdana;”>She also loved to cook and bake, which inspired her to open her own barbecue restaurant in the 1970s on the west side of St. Louis. She was also a faithful employee to Dr. and Mrs. Walter Moore of Weldon Springs, MO for several years until her retirement.
“font-size: 9.0pt; line-height: 115%; font-family: Verdana;”>Johnnie made her transition from this life on October 16, 2011. She leaves to cherish her memories: a loving son, Leroy (Gail) Frazier, Sr.; a daughter-in-law, Dorothy Davis; six granddaughters, Marcia, Shelia, Charmaine, Shavonne, Dedra and Candice; two grandsons, Nevelle and Leroy Jr.; seven great-granddaughters, Kristin, Tonya, Brieonna, Jahmilla, Sharmayne, Kamryn (her “nurse”) and Taylor; and three great-grandsons, Dontae, Charles and Jeremiah (her “Preacher”).
