LUCILE THOMPSON STAFFORD

Lucile Thompson Stafford, 79, formerly of Charleston, MO, passed away on February 11, 2012, Saginaw, Michigan.

Lucile was born in Cairo, Illinois in 1932, daughter of the late David and Dorothy Thompson of Charleston, Missouri. She attended Hollins College in Virginia and the University of Missouri before graduating from the University of Maryland as a member of Kappa Kappa Gamma sorority. She lived in Florida, Kansas and California before settling in Northern Virginia.
In 2000, Lucile retired from a career as a budget analyst with the Department of the Navy in Arlington, Virginia. She was an active member of the Messiah United Methodist Church of West Springfield. Lucile also enjoyed her volunteer work with Martha's Table in Washington, D.C., the Ecumenical Community Helping Others (ECHO) center in Springfield and Fairfax County Libraries. She loved gardening, playing the piano and schooling her grandchildren in a wide variety of card and board games. Lucile was an avid reader and always enjoyed a complex
Cross word or jigsaw puzzle. Lucile will forever be remembered for her strength of will and fierce independence.

She is survived by daughter Karen Richards (Andrew) of Saginaw, Michigan; son David Stafford of Tampa, Florida; grandchildren Meredith Kersey and Taylor Richards; one sister, Dorothy Lee Herzog of St. Charles, Missouri; several nieces; a nephew; and their families.

A graveside service will be held Saturday, May 5 at 11:00 a.m. at the IOOF Cemetery in Charleston, Missouri. Rev. Dan Faust, pastor of the United Methodist Church of Charleston, will officiate.

In lieu of flowers, those planning an expression of sympathy may like to consider a donation to ECHO, Inc., 7205 Old Keene Mill Road, Springfield, Virginia 22150 or United Methodist Church, 1700 East Marshall Street Charleston, Missouri.