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Amy Francis McIntyre Stafford, age 85, of Berkeley Springs, WV, formerly of Ashland, KY, died on Wednesday, November 29, 2017 at The Berkeley Springs Center LLC.
Born April 2, 1932 in Kansas City, MO, she was the daughter of the late Andrew Cornelius and Henrietta Lewen McIntyre.
Our Mother was not just a “Mom” to the Stafford siblings. She loved with an open heart, her charitable forgiveness and acceptance was unconditional even in the face of disappointments and rejections. Raising six children and ‘mothering’ many who passed through our household, she fed whomever came to our house hungry, clothed anyone who needed a coat or shoes and made room for any who needed a safe place to stay- some for a short stay of refuge, some for extended time of healing and the blessing of becoming an accepted part of the Stafford clan; this was her passion and calling in life. Many nights at the Stafford dinner table, there were extra places set for friends and even though we did not always have fancy meals there was always enough for one or two more to join us. No kid ever went hungry. No child was ever left out. Once all of us were in school she pursued completing her college education and graduated from Kentucky’s Morehead University/Marshall University in Huntington, West Virginia, with honors and became a teacher . . . well, she always was a teacher. She just finally completed a degree that verified it to the rest of the professional world. A few of us six children had the unique privilege of having my Mom as a substitute in school. This can be an awkward situation for any preteen kid, but I was not surprised when some of the students, especially the ones other subs dreaded having in class (you know who you are) who had my Mom in class, came to me and told me how much they loved my Mom. Many ‘troubled’ youths sought out Mom over the years, I believe, because she appreciated each child’s uniqueness, listened instead of requiring attention, questioned instead of making demands, made boundaries clear but fair and offered alternatives that initiated self- examination and promoted creative thinking. I never once remember my Mom, even in a state of ‘fussing’ about something, ever make any of us feel belittled, but do remember the many times she encouraged us to pursue our own passions. We did not have an unlimited household budget that allowed for expensive fashions, fancy vacations, or many extras, but we were always clean, clothed, well fed and as happy as we chose to be. She made sure that any of us who were interested in extracurricular activities including Majorette, Field Commanding, Track and Field or other sports, Scouts, Art, Drama and Performing Arts, had the opportunity to explore those interests even if it meant cutting into the household budget. Mom was charitable to a fault. She did not seem to especially value money but value in making others happy and giving, often without any returns on her investments in the welfare of others. She was a most brave adventurer, traveling to Jamaica for a few years to teach, leaving all that she knew and loved on the mainland to bring Music and English to the island children. Mom spent much of her life championing a compassionate giving of herself, her time and resources to help meet the needs of so many. She may not have been rich and famous, but she lived a rich life full of goodness and graciousness. Although we may not have always had the finest of things, we always had more than enough of everything, we knew we could go to Mom with any burden and she would do her best to help us sort it out, but most importantly, she forgave even the unforgivable and we knew we were loved unconditionally. She has certainly earned the jewels in her crown in heaven! All who had the good fortune to know Mom were richly blessed by knowing her in some small or great way. She left us all better than she found us.
-Melody Stafford Martin
Amy is survived by her children, Sherry Stafford-Loibl of Berkeley Springs, Melody Lynn Martin of Nyssa, OR, Jon Morris Stafford of Clarksville, TN and Valerie Kay Rice of Catlettsburg, KY, 10 grandchildren and 10 great grandchildren.
In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by two children, Dan Andrew Stafford and Mary Helen Conn-Smith.
Services and interment in Missouri will be private.
In lieu of flowers contributions may be made to your local high school band.
Online condolences may be expressed at www.helsleyjohnsonfh.com.
Arrangements are being handled by Helsley-Johnson Funeral Home & Cremation Center, 95 Union Street, Berkeley Springs, WV.
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1932 - 2017 (85 years)
