Mrs. Mary Alice Stafford, age 89, Dalton, Georgia, departed this life Wednesday, March 20, 2024, at her residence. She was born November 6, 1934 in Dalton, Georgia, a daughter of the late William "Bill" Alexander and Cora Mae Neal Travillian.

Mary was also preceded in death by her first husband, the father of her children, C.W. "Dubb" Smith, sons, Mickey Lamar "Mick" Smith and Ike Smith, a granddaughter, April "Misty" Speck, grandson, Devin Smith, brothers Neal Travillian, Tommy Travillian, sister and brother-in-law Shirley and Gerald Palmer.

Mary was an Allstate Agent for many years after the death of her husband, C. W. "Dubb" Smith who was also an Allstate Agent until his death. Prior to becoming an insurance agent she was a beautician for several years. She was the strongest women on the planet, having raised three boys alone. She met and married William "Bill" Stafford ten years after the death of her first husband and are still together thirty eight years later.

She is survived by her husband, William "Bill" Stafford Sr. of Dalton, GA, and would have been married thirty-eight years in May, 2024; son and daughter-in-law, David and Denise Smith of Marietta, GA; grandson, Dustin Smith; great-grandchildren, Skylar and A.J. Smith;  sister and brother-in-law, Linda and Gene Long of Dalton, GA; many special nieces and nephews, Brian and Mimi Long, Tammy and Alex Pearce, Renee and David Grubbs, Kim Stover, Patrick and Angie Palmer, Lisa Ballance, Robert "Butch" Palmer; special nephew, Chad Long, Terri and Gary Adler, Sharon and Guy Pittman and Donnie Travillian; sitters/caregivers, Silvia Delgado, and Margeena Norris.

We want to thank all the nurses and CNA's with Amedisys Hospice for their kind and loving care. We could not have done it without them and most of all her son and daughter-in-law, David and Denise, for giving up their lives to care for, Mary and Bill, for three years, so they would not have to go to a nursing home.

Services to celebrate the life of Mrs. Mary Smith Stafford will be held Sunday, March 24, 2024, at 3:00 p.m. at Ponders Melrose Chapel with Reverend Darey Kittle officiating.  She will be laid to rest at West Hill Cemetery with Brian Long, Patrick Palmer, Gary Adler, David Grubbs, Adam Grubbs and Guy Pittman honored to serve as pallbearers and Chad Long serving as honorary pallbearer.

The family will receive friends at Ponders Melrose Chapel after 2:00 p.m. Sunday until the service hour.

Flowers will be accepted or donations can be made to the Alzheimer's Association or St. Jude.

Arrangements by Ponders Melrose Chapel, 138 Melrose Drive, Dalton, GA, 30721.   706-226-4002 www.selectedindependentfuneralhomes.org