Cecil Ray Stafford

Cecil Ray Stafford, 81, graduated to Heaven January 14, 2013 at Grace Manor Suites Assisted Living Home in Lakeland where he had resided for the past two years. Ray was born in Goldsboro, North Carolina to Charlie D. and Iola Stafford. After his formal education, he served honorably in the US Army during the Korean War. Upon his discharge from the Army, he met the love of his life, Marie Foster; and in 1961 they began a journey together that would span the next 51 years. He became a master barber and in 1966 opened Town and Country Barber Shop in Bowie Maryland where his family and business grew for many years. Then in 1973, Ray took the reigns as Manager of Summit Lake Retreat Center situated in the Catoctin Mountains near Emmitsburg, Maryland. After 20+ years at Summit Lake, Ray and Marie retired to Haines City, Florida where he enjoyed time with his grandchildren and great-grandchildren as well as cultivating his talent for landscape design. He continued to barber at Ozzie's Barber Shop in Haines City for many years. He was a member of Landmark Baptist Church for the past 18 years and enjoyed his large church family and the many opportunities for service to others that it offered. Ray was a quiet and unassuming man who cast a shadow as big as the great outdoors. He touched the lives of so many especially during his tenure at Summit Lake, but when praise and reward came, his response was always a humble, "No thanks are necessary; I was happy to help". Ray is survived by his wife of 51 years, Marie Stafford of Haines City; brother, Melvin and his wife Faye Stafford of Clinton, NC; sister, Ann Denning of Raleigh, NC, Sister-in-law, Louise Stafford of Goldsboro, NC; three sons, Mark Stafford of Springfield, VA, Russell Stafford of Tampa and Scott Stafford of Frederick, MD; four grandchildren, Ryan Stafford, Lauren Stafford, Brady Stafford and Alex Stafford; and two great-grandchildren, Grace Stafford and Caleb Stafford; and other loving family around the country. A funeral service will be held at Oak Ridge Funeral Care, 1001 Grace Ave, Haines City, Florida, 33844 at 11:00am, January 17th, 2013. Visitation will be held at Oak Ridge Funeral Care at 10:00am, January 17th, 2013. Burial will immediately follow the service at Forest Hill Cemetery in Haines City. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in memory of Ray to Landmark Christian School or WLVF (Landmark Voice of Faith) in Haines City.