Beth Marie Davis Stafford

Beth Marie Davis Stafford, of Springdale, formerly of Green Forest, Ark., passed away peacefully with family by her side on October 17, 2015 at Washington Regional Hospital in Fayetteville, Ark. Born on March 2, 1923 in Brule, Nebraska to the late George O' Brien Davis and Hester Lucy Butterfield Davis, Beth is survived by one sibling, brother George Davis, Jr. and his wife Marie of Cave Springs, Ark. After high school, Beth attended Kearney State Teacher's college in Nebraska before moving to Washington, DC during WWII, where she worked from 1942 to 1945 at the US Treasury Office. It was during her time in Washington, DC that she met and married Naval Intelligence Officer, J. Frank Stafford, who was a native of Green Forest, Arkansas and preceded her in death. Upon J. Frank's discharge from the Navy at the end of the war, Beth and he spent the rest of their lives building a wonderful life and family in Green Forest, Ark., and are survived by four children, Scott Stafford of Little Rock, Ark.; Michael Stafford of Arlington, Va.; Stephen Stafford and his wife Sharon of Green Forest, Ark.; and Lise Russ and husband Byron of Green Forest, Ark. Beth was known for her service to her church and her community. She was a dedicated member of the United Methodist Church of Green Forest for 70 years where she volunteered her services in many roles – it was not uncommon to find her helping at the food Bank or Vacation Bible School. She was one of the founding members of The Garden Club and the Master Gardeners program in Carroll County. She was also a member of the Carroll Madison Library Board, and involved with the American Heart Association and Democratic Women. When you saw her roses, you knew she loved working in her garden. She was an avid quilter and loved to travel, making numerous trips throughout the United States and Europe. With her husband, Beth owned and operated the Shibley Insurance Agency in Green Forest in the early 1960's to the mid-1970's. But, unquestionably, her biggest passion was her family. She was an incredible source of sound advice, moral support, motivation, and unconditional love every day of her life. In addition to her four children and brother, Beth is survived by her grandchildren: Stephanie King and husband Brad of Harrison, Ark.; Elizabeth Grigg and husband Grant of Little Rock, Ark.; Stacy Waller Lile and husband Craig of Springdale, Ark.; Jonathan Russ and wife Lynette of Kansas City, Mo.; Stephen Ray Stafford of Bachelor Gulch, Colo.; Andrew Russ of Fort Smith, Ark.; and Davis Stafford of Arlington, Va.; as well as great-grandchildren Sydnee King and Cooper King of Harrison, Ark.; Stafford, Reese, and Miller Waller of Springdale, Ark.; Isabella, Emma, Russ LaRue, and Jack Grigg of Little Rock, Ark.; as well as a host of her precious nieces and nephews, and other family and friends. Visitation will be held from 5~7 p.m. Tuesday, October 20, 2015 at Nelson's Green Forest Chapel. Funeral service will be at 11 a.m. Wednesday, October 21, 2015 at the United Methodist Church of Green Forest with Pastor Steve Cook officiating. Interment will follow the service in the New Home Cemetery under the direction of Nelson Funeral Service. Memorial donations may be made to The United Methodist Church of Green Forest, P.O. Box 770, Green Forest, Arkansas 72638. Online condolences may be sent to the family at nelsonfuneral.com. at Nelson Funeral Service, Inc. 2015.