Obituary of Charles Ellis Stafford

Former Sumter County Treasurer, Charles Ellis Stafford, Sr., widower of Frances Brown Stafford, entered eternal rest on Wednesday, May 6, 2015 at McElveen Manor. He served as Treasurer from 1972 to 1985 at which time he retired. Born August 26, 1921 in Lee County, he was the son of the late George W. Stafford, Sr. and Lula Newman Stafford. He was a graduate of Edmunds High School and attended Draughon’s Business College in Columbia, SC. A charter member of Aldersgate United Methodist Church, Mr. Stafford was instrumental in organizing the church in 1956, serving on the building committee for all phases of construction, and on many other committees of the church. He taught the Senior Class of the Sunday school for a number of years. He served as Chairman of the Membership Committee, member of the Official Board, Council on Ministries, member of the Wesley Fellowship Class, and the Men’s Club. In recognition for his many years of loyalty, devotion, and dedication to his church, Homecoming Day at Aldersgate on May 2, 1999, was declared as “Charles Ellis Stafford Day”. Entering the U.S. Army Air Corps on June 29, 1942 at Shaw Air Force Base, he was later transferred to the Air Transport Command, serving at Hamilton Field, CA, the Philippine Islands, and with the Occupation Forces in Atsugi, Japan. He was discharged on January 21, 1946 with the rank of Master Sergeant. Active in civic affairs, he was a past member of the Junior Chamber of Commerce, Sertoma Club, and the Salvation Army Advisory Board where he served as Chairman during the time the present facility was constructed on Kendrick Street. He was a life member of the American Legion, past Commander of American Legion Post 15, the associate Chaplain, member of the Executive Committee, Fair Committee, and Funeral Committee. In 1996, he was presented the “Fairman of the Year” award by the SC Association of Fairs. During his term as County Treasurer, he was recognized as initiating an “Alternate Method of Tax Collecting” which required that all Real Property Taxes be paid within one year from their due date otherwise the property would be sold for these taxes. He also initiated the collection of City and County Taxes, both current and delinquent, by the County Treasurer, thereby eliminating the complete City Tax Department and the Delinquent Tax Department of both the City and County of Sumter. This method of Tax Collection was approved by the Comptroller General of South Carolina and has been adopted by the majority of counties and cities in the State of South Carolina. Survivors include three sons and daughters-in-law, Charles Ellis Stafford, Jr. and Barbara Guess Stafford of Lexington; Patrick A. Stafford and Terrie Smith Stafford of Columbia, Stephen F. Stafford and Sallie Trapp Stafford of Sumter; two brothers, Robert E. “Bobby” Stafford and wife Sara Ellen of Sumter, William F. “Billy” Stafford and wife Marjorie of Kennett Square, PA, three granddaughters, Caroline Stafford Brazell, Allison Raye Stafford, and Margaret Stafford Manders; two grandsons, Charles Ellis Stafford, III, and Stephen F. Stafford, Jr.; five great-grandchildren, Stafford Kinsey Brazell, Isla Fraysse Brazell, Mary Beth Stafford, Sarah Ellis Stafford and Carter Landen Cornell. Celebration of Life Service will be held Saturday, May 9th at 12 noon at Aldersgate United Methodist Church with Rev. Dr. Webb Belangia officiating. Private burial will be in the Sumter Cemetery. Nephews will serve as Pallbearers. Honorary Pallbearers will be William C. Boykin, Jr., Moscoe Johnson, David Mims, Kent Mims, Steve Mims, Allen Prescott, John Propst, Buddy Robinson, Dr. Strat Stavrou, L. B. “Buck” Wells, and members of the Wesley Fellowship Class. The family will receive friends in the church Parlor following the memorial service and at other times at the home of Steve and Sallie Stafford at 225 Adams Avenue. Memorials may be made to Aldersgate United Methodist Church, 211 Alice Drive, Sumter, SC 29150. On-line condolences may be sent to www.sumterfunerals.com Elmore Hill McCreight Funeral Home & Crematory 221 Broad Street Sumter is in charge of the arrangements (803) 775-9386.