Serving Families in Their Time of Sorrow

Cleo D. Stafford, Sr. (November 13, 1944 – June 27, 2023)

Mt. Moriah AME Church, PO Box 541, Wildwood, FL

Visitation: Friday, July 7, 2023
Visitation Time: 5:00 – 7:00 PM
Visitation Location: Mt. Moriah African Methodist Episcopal Church
107 Old 44A
Wildwood, Florida

Service Date: Saturday, July 8, 2023
Service Time: 11:00 AM
Service Location: Mt. Moriah African Methodist Episcopal Church
107 Old 44A
Wildwood, Florida

Obituary:

Cleo D. Stafford, Sr., 78, of Fruitland Park, fell asleep and entered into eternal rest on Tuesday, June 27, 2023. Cleo was born on November 13, 1944 in Wildwood, FL to the late Vida Mae and John D. Stafford. Cleo was a retired letter carrier from Countyline Post Office after over 40 years of service. He was a dedicated employee and shop steward. He then worked briefly for New Horizons Community Mental Health Center.

Cleo was a former steward at Mt. Hermon AME Church, Miami Gardens, Florida. He was a founding member and steward of Immanuel Temple AME Church, Pembroke Pines, Florida. He was known for his singing in which he sang in numerous choirs and was a member of the Smiling Jubilees. Cleo volunteered as a coach and umpire for the Little League Baseball in North Miami at Pepper Park for over 15 years.

In 2012, he relocated to Central Florida where he continued to serve as a steward, church school teacher (Bible Discovery) and superintendent at Mt. Moriah AME Church, Wildwood, Florida. Also known as the “singing man” he continued to sing at various churches throughout the community. Cleo served his country in the US Army and was honorably discharged in 1973. Among his military decorations are a National Defense Service Medal and a Vietnam Service Medal with 2 Bronze Stars. Cleo was a servant leader, devoted husband and father, a brother, grandfather, great grandfather and friend who will be deeply missed by all who knew him.

He is survived by his wife of 40 years, Kathy; four children, Dallas Ishan, Cleo (Jade) Stafford II, LaTasha Stafford, Vidette Satfford; brother, John (Ruth) Stafford; mother-in-law, Elizabeth Singleton; 11 grandchildren; 5 great grandchildren; and a host of relatives and friends.

Vistitation will be held on Friday, July 7, 2023, from 5-7 PM at the church. A service of celebration will be held on Saturday, July 8, 2023 at 11:00 AM, Mt. Moriah African Methodist Episcopal Church, 107 Old 44A, Wildwood, Florida with Pastor Pamela Bivins, officiating and P.E. Henry L. Postell, II, eulogist. Interment: Florida National VA Cemetery, Bushnell, FL with full military honors.

In lieu of flowers, the family request donations be made in the memory of Mr. Cleo D. Stafford, Sr. to Mt. Moriah AME Church, PO Box 541, Wildwood, FL 34785 or to The Immanuel Temple AME Church, 7040 Pines Boulevard, Pembrook Pines, FL 33024.

7 Comments

  • Harriet Brown Birk Posted July 5, 2023 2:31 pm

    My prayers are with you and the family. May God give you quiet solace at this difficult time. Blessings

  • Charles Muse Posted July 6, 2023 1:49 am

    BLESSED BE THE GOD AND FATHER OF OUR LORD
    JESUS CHRIST, THE SOURCE OF ALL MERCY AND THE GOD OF ALL
    CONSOLATION, WHO COMFORTS US IN ALL OUR SORROWS SO THAT
    WE CAN COMFORT OTHERS IN THEIR SORROWS WITH THE
    CONSOLATION WE OURSELVES HAVE RECEIVED FROM GOD.

  • Tonya Lewis Posted July 7, 2023 2:35 am

    You will be missed. My prayers are with the family. The Lord will fight for you; you need only to be still.

  • Sybil York Posted July 7, 2023 11:31 pm

    May God comfort and strengthen each one of you is my prayer. To my buddy, you will truly be missed.

  • Vida Caastellanos-Lau Posted July 8, 2023 1:36 pm

    Wishing you peace, comfort, courage, and lots of love at this time of sorrow. My heart goes out to you at this difficult time. Wishing you the best and know you have my full support in every moment. I am thinking of you and your family and sending caring thoughts your way to support you through this.

  • Freddie Reaser Posted July 8, 2023 5:24 pm

    I’m so so SORRY of your Passing may you REST in Peace! I Know the FAMILY HEARTS are Heavy Now and You All have me and my Family DEEPEST SYMPATHY! R I P My BROTHER I Will NEVER forget You and you Will ALWAYS Be In HEART!!

  • Jose M Valdez Posted August 17, 2023 11:04 pm

    I will forever be grateful of everything Coach did for me and the rest of my family . A great man who will be surely missed. My condolences to the family. Thank you coach.

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