Blackshear – Michael Roland “Mike” Stafford, 66, passed away Monday, November 25, 2024, as a result of an automobile accident.  Born in Jesup, he lived most of his life in Pierce County, and the last few years in Tifton. He was a 25-year employee with the Georgia Department of Agriculture as a Senior Supervisor in the Fields and Measure Division.  He was a US Navy veteran and an avid outdoorsman.  Mike spent his leisure time fishing, hunting, camping, and sitting around the campfire.  He attended First Baptist Blackshear from his youth and was preceded in death by his parents, Roland and Ernestine Raulerson Stafford.

Survivors are his sister, Gay Ford (Keith) of Perry, FL; brother, Billy Stafford of Blackshear; niece, Valerie Thrift of Waycross; nephews, Aaron Thrift of Waycross, Nico Ford (Sami) and their son, Keith, of Minnesota; several aunts and numerous cousins.

Funeral services will be Saturday, November 30 at 11 AM at Howard Funeral Home Chapel with Pastor Libby Gardner officiating.  Private burial will follow in Twin Rivers Baptist Church Cemetery in Hortense.

Visitation will be from 10–11 AM prior to the service at the chapel.

Honorary pallbearers will be Georgia Department of Agriculture employees and staff in attendance.

Remembrances are suggested to a Hospice of your choice in Mike’s name.

Family and friends may sign the online register at www.howardfuneralga.com.

Arrangements are under the direction of Howard Funeral Home of Ludowici.

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Mike Stafford, please visit our floral store.