Arvel Swafford

Arvel Eugene Stafford, 93, of East Ridge, passed away Friday, July 18, 2014. He had lived most of his life in the East Ridge area and was active in the Alhambra Shrine, East Ridge Masonic Lodge #755 F&AM for over 50 years where he served as Past Master, the Scottish Rites, and an honorary Legion of Honor member. He was an honorary member of 24 local lodges and the American Legion Post 95. Mr. Stafford was a member of the Philadelphia Baptist Church and he was a United States Army veteran having served during World War II. He was preceded in death by his wife, Margaret Hixson Stafford; parents, William Henry and Martha Lou Dill Stafford; and sisters, Gertrude Davis and Nanny Sue Brock. Survivors include his children, Loretta "Lori" Hamilton Swanson Bryant (John); Janet Foster and Barry Stafford (Linda); grandchildren, Peter Swanson, Katherine "Katie" Wallace Grow, and Andy Stafford; and great-granddaughter, Gracie Stafford. The family would like to extend a special thank you to the employees of Mary and Martha's Personal Care and to Tapestry Hospice for the comfort and care provided in his later days. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to the Shriner's Hospital for Children at www.shrinershospitalsforchildren.org, Tapestry Hospice, 1091 Red Bud Road, Calhoun, GA 30701, or Mary & Martha's Personal Care, 616 Mohawk St., Rossville, GA 30741. Condolences may be sent to www.lane-southcrestchapel.com. Funeral services will be 1 p.m. Tuesday in the South Crest Chapel with Rev. Rob Borders officiating. Interment will follow in the Hamilton Memorial Gardens with Masonic Rites being conducted. Military honors will be conducted by the Army National Guard. The family will receive friends from 5-8 p.m. today, July 20, and from 4-8 p.m. Monday at the South Crest Chapel of Lane Funeral Home & Crematory, located at the end of historic Missionary Ridge, Rossville.