Yvonne G. Stafford was born to John and Francis Thompson in Hazy, West Virginia. Mom was born Yvonia Decarol Thompson on June 21st, 1935 she later changed her name to Yvonne, and her birthday to June 22nd (Because Mom changed what she didn’t like). Mother Stafford accepted Jesus Christ as her Lord and Savior when she was 16 years old. She then married Tommy Lee Gunn Sr in 1954. They had five children (Rickie, Jeremiah. Yvonne, Doris, Tommy Jr).Tommy Sr. passed away in 1976. She later married Samuel Stafford in 1978 they had four children from there union (Sylvia, Tonya, Anne, Ray). They founded Faith Tabernacle Holiness Church in 1979. Mother Stafford was proud to be 1st Lady/Assistant Pastor of Faith Tabernacle and President over the Women’s Convention. In later years she was the Mother of Faith Tabernacle and proud to be called “Mother”. She would stand to correct you if you forgot the “Mother “ in her introduction. Mother was known as our own Shirley Ceaser, she lived by the three P’s praying, praising, and preaching all her life. She was in foster care for 25 years; she dedicated her life to raising her kids, grandkids, neighborhood kids, and any kids in need. Some of Mother’s famous expressions were “Been saved since I was 16 and it still holds good right now”. “If you like it I love it”, “Your crazy as a fox”, “Tell it to the bear and he aint got no sense”. She would call her daughters boyfriends “You Ol coon face, monkey face bald face fool “. “ I will sweep you up like a vacuum cleaner “ ,and “ You better put a handle on that name. “ her favorite songs were “ Sweet Honey in the rock” “ Down here Lord waiting on you” “ Without God I can’t do nothing” and “ Thank You Lord”. She loved to swing her hair, kick her legs out, and shake her shoulders when she sang. Her famous dishes were rolls, greens, German chocolate cake, lemon meringue pie, dressings, and most of all her hamburgers that were so good they would put you to sleep. She loved Walker Texas Ranger, Columbo, and Golden Girls along with her extensive movie collection, and her love for Pepsi. She had a smile that would light up any room and a laugh that was contagious, and never missed a opportunity to tell someone about Jesus.On April 26th, 2018 at approximately 1:15am Evangelist Yvonne G Stafford went home to be with The LORD. She is preceded in death by her Father John Thompson Sr., Mother Francis Thompson, “Biggie” (grandmother) Auntie “(Fannie Mae MacFarland), Uncle Baby. Brother John Jr. & Samuel, sister Johnnie Belinda and sons Rickie & Jeremiah, Great Grandson Nehemiah. She leaves to cherish in her memory husband Samuel Stafford ,sister Debra ( Sammy Jr, Allan, Eric, Peaches) brother Foster (Brenda) Donald (Jacquine), David (Joyce) Children: Yvonne (Irving) Doris, Tommy (Dezyuan) Sylvia; Tonya, Anne, Ray,Gray Grandchildren: Kenneth, Kevin, Raina, D.Gunn Grandchildren: Alassondro (Lindsay), Amanda, AngieT.Gunn Grandchildren: Antwaun Sr., Keith Jr., Brandon, Tierra, TiannaS.Stafford Grandchild: Marcus T.Stafford Grandchildren: Aaliyah, Uariah, MicahA.Stafford Grandchild: AzuraeSpecial Nieces: Teresa, Tony (Jermaine)Special Nephews: Clarence (Jenette), StevenShe leaves a host of other nieces, nephews, great nieces, great nephews, great grandkids, Church family, Friends, and every other life she touched.

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Yvonne Gunn Stafford, please visit our Heartfelt Sympathies Store.