Kenneth Jacob Stafford, 90, of Kopperston, WV  passed away on Friday February 5, 2021 at the home of his daughter in Oceana. He was born on March 25, 1930 in Glen Morrison, WV now known as Sabine, WV.
He was preceded in death by his parents Rev. William L. Stafford and Eliza Blake Hatcher Stafford; his loving wife of 56 years Erma Lillian Arthur Stafford; a son Randall “Randy” Stafford; deceased grandchildren Jonathan Tilley, Anthony Tilley and Crystal Sparks Hall; siblings William, Raymond, Joseph, Thomas, Dennis, Dreama, and an infant sister Iris Ann.
Dad was a member of Toneda Missionary Baptist Church for 50 plus years and served as a deacon, on the Advisory Board, Senior BYF youth leader, Chairman of the Missions Committee, an usher and a greeter. Kenneth was a US Marine Veteran, worked at the Ford plant in Detroit, MI, was a coal miner for 40 plus years for Eastern Associated Coal Corporation’s Kopperston #2 mine, a member of UMWA Local 7604, Chaplin of the Burial Committee, the Mine Saftey committee and umpired youth Baseball games. He loved camping, fishing, hunting, family get togethers and reunions. He was a good neighbor and friend to many, but mostly he was a good Christian man that walked the talk and was happy to share his love of what the Lord had done for him. Enjoy your rewards in Heaven Dad! We were so fortunate to call you daddy and will see you again.
Kenneth is survived by his daughters Lillian (Bill) Tilley of Eccles, Marsha (Tom) Sparks of Oceana and Sandra (Mitch) Solacz of Prosperity; a brother Rev. James (Ann) Stafford of Canton, Ohio; a daughter in law Sue Stafford of Oceana; his uncle Jake Hatcher of Princeton; ten grandchildren, fifteen great grandchildren and seven great great grandchildren; several nieces, nephews and many friends.
Funeral service will be held at 1:00 pm on Wednesday February 10, 2021 at Toneda Missionary Baptist Church, with Pastor Scotty Lusk officiating. He will be laid to rest in Blue Ridge Memorial Gardens, Beckley, WV. The Wyoming County Veterans Honor Guard will conduct Military Rites. Friends may gather with the family on Wednesday from Noon until service time at the church. Pallbearers will be family. He always enjoyed working on the Missions Committee at Toneda Missionary Baptist Church so In Lieu of flowers please consider donating to Toneda Baptist Church, PO Box 1395, Oceana, WV 24870 and earmark it to the Missions Committee or to the Gideon’s International, Attn: Fairley Lusk, PO Box 233, Oceana, WV 24870. For those who can not attend, the
service will be provided on the Scottie Lusk’s Facebook page. The family would like to send special thanks to Darrell and Pam Worrell, Kenneth and Kathy Cook, Oceana Fire and Rescue Squad and Arvin Drake the Chief, Ben and Garrett Bailey the best neighbors, Toneda Missionary Baptist Church, Guyandotte Baptist Church, Pastor Scottie Lusk, Fairley, Donna and Eric Lusk, Lindsey Kennedy, Hospice of Southern WV and care givers: Tanya Bailey, Dena Spence and Amy Latham, and the Veterans.
The family is being served by Stafford Family Funeral Home, Lynco, WV.