Mary P. Stanford

Mary Phillips Stanford, born Mary Ruth Phillips, died peacefully on September 20, 2022 in Orlando, Florida with family at her side. She was 94. Mary was born August 24, 1928 in Attala, Alabama to Loy and Nora Belle Phillips. She grew up in a tight circle of friends who enjoyed campfires in the woods and swimming in the creeks around their hometown. After graduating from Alexandria High School, she made her way to secretarial school in Birmingham. From there, she was off to Atlanta where she joined her sisters Jean and Virginia and began her career as an office worker. Before too long, she met and married W.D. Stanford. Together, they settled in Orlando where she was first a working mother and, later, a single mother to her three children; Pallas, David, and Renee. Though she enjoyed many things in life, reading, bowling, playing bridge, solving puzzles, watching Perry Mason, listening to the Statler Brothers, and eating good food, her greatest joy was in her family. When she was finally able to retire, she happily took on the role of full-time grandmother, giving freely and frequently sacrificing in order to chauffer, babysit, nurse, and generally support Kynthia, Danielé, Amanda and Travis. As much as she loved her grandchildren, her absolute greatest joy in life was her great-grandchildren, Desi, Mariah, and David. She was very strong-willed and, with the support of her children and especially her daughter-in-law, Candy, she lived independently right up to the time of her final hospitalization. She was preceded in death by her husband, W.D. Stanford, her parents Loy and Nora Belle Phillips, and her sisters, Algae, Inez, Ila, Jean, and Virginia. She is survived by her brother Bill Phillips, her son David Stanford, her daughters, Pallas Stanford (husband, Steve Brunette) and Renee Goldfarb (husband, Garry Goldfarb) and daughter-in-law Candy Massa Williams, grandchildren Kynthia Brunette, Daniéle Stanford, Travis Goldfarb (wife, Cheryl), and Amanda Goldfarb. Great- grandchildren Desi Demando, Mariah Demando, and David Clay, and many nieces, nephews, grandnieces, and grandnephews, including Yvonne Gerard, Rikki Cosper, and Christie Lindenmuth. Arrangements have been entrusted to Baldwin-Fairchild Funeral Home. According to her wishes, no formal services will be held. Instead, the family will gather in October to place her ashes in a beloved spot in Southside, Alabama.

Mary P. Stanford

August 24, 1928 - September 20, 2022