Kathleen Joan Stafford

Kathleen “Kay” Joan (Foster) Stafford of Ashland, VA went to be with her Lord and Savior on March 16, 2025.

Kay was born on April 27, 1933 to Rev. Emmett Ralph (E.R.) and Rev. Jo Ellen (Wiley) Foster in Amarillo, TX. She was a licensed minister with the Assemblies of God, graduated from high school at Southwestern Bible Institute in Waxahachie, TX in 1950, and received her B.A. in Theology from Trinity Bible Institute in Ellendale, ND in 1979.

Kay married the love of her life, Rev. Glenn DeWitt Stafford, on October 18, 1950 and shared 55 years of marriage with him. Following pastoral positions in Amarillo and Lubbock, Texas, they embarked on the foreign mission field in 1957, heading to Burma (Myanmar) when Kay was six months pregnant. She served side by side with Glenn in overseas ministry for almost 40 years, working also in Malaysia, Singapore, S. Vietnam, Indonesia, and Fiji in establishing churches and Bible schools that continue to this day. Kay was also deeply involved in library work and music. She played violin, piano, and organ, led choirs, and taught music to Bible school students.

Her love and devotion to sharing the gospel never wavered. After retiring from the foreign mission field, Kay remained active in ministry through her local churches and in her community as an organist and Sunday school teacher in Amarillo, TX and later in Springfield, MO and Richmond, VA, even helping with a weekly hymn sing until a few weeks before she passed.

Grandma, as she became known to not only her grandchildren, but also to many others in her church community, will be remembered for her devotion to Jesus, love of studying the Bible, musical talent, and love for her family. She loved nothing more than discussing theology and politics, singing old hymns, and playing with her great-grandchildren.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Glenn, her parents, four brothers, infant daughter, Pamela, and infant grandson, Joel Stephens. She is survived by her children, Rev. Sondra and Rev. John Bocchieri of Eastlake, OH, Darla and Rev. M. Dwayne Stephens of Ashland, VA, and Glenn Jr. and Brenda Stafford of White Settlement, TX, seven grandchildren, Christina Stephens Driscoll (Rev. Fred), Christopher Bocchieri, Mark Stephens Jr. (Rev. Denae), Liana Bocchieri, DeAnna Stephens Baker (Aaron), Nathan Stephens (Melody), and Joanna Stephens Bridges (Josh), 20 great-grandchildren, Frederick, Kaylee, Brandon, Caeden, Ethan, Savannah, Jenna, and Caitlyn Driscoll, Kaira and Mark (III) Stephens, Escher Bocchieri-Romero, Nathaniel, Titus, Serenity, Enoch, Hosanna, and Malachi Baker, and Elisabeth, Caleb, and Isaiah Stephens, and a host of other relatives and friends.

A memorial service will be held at The Bridge Church in Mechanicsville, VA on Saturday, March 22 at 10:30am.

The family will receive visitors from 10:30-11:30 AM, Saturday, March 29, 2025 at Boxwell Brothers Ivy Chapel in Amarillo, TX. Funeral service will follow at 1:00 PM, at the funeral home. Interment will be in Llano Cemetery. Arrangements are by Boxwell Brothers Funeral Directors.

The family suggests memorials be given to Assemblies of God World Missions.