Annie Maw Maw M. Stanford

Affectionately called “MawMaw”

Margaret Stanford -- August 24, 1924 – July 21, 2016

Margaret Stanford, 91, of Columbus, Georgia died at Northside Forsyth Hospital in Cumming, Ga. on Thursday, July 21, 2016.

Mrs. Stanford was born in Four Oaks, North Carolina, daughter of late father, Jasper Riley Blackmon and mother, Cassie Annie Blackmon. She was one of eight children and was raised on a tobacco farm. She met Spurgeon Stanford (PawPaw) in September 1943 outside a movie theatre in Raleigh, N.C. and they married in April 1944. Spurgeon served 30 years in the United States Army, which later brought them to Columbus in November,1945. During these years, Margaret and her family attended Southside Baptist Church, in Columbus.

They had two sons, -- their firstborn, Dennis, was born in 1946 and their second son, Danny was born in 1949. During their marriage, they lived in Tacoma, Washington, Anchorage, Alaska and then back to Columbus in 1957. During PawPaw’s military career, they often drove cross-country with two young boys, no air conditioner and no interstates. We can only imagine! PawPaw retired from the Army and MawMaw retired from Civil Service at Fort Benning.

MawMaw was a loving Mother, Grandmother and Great-Grandmother too! She and PawPaw were very family -oriented and loved to be with their children and grandchildren. Their children were always a priority and they always made them feel safe and secure. Danny says he has fondest memories of his childhood as a result of their love and affection. They were married for 65 years and were always there for family and friends. If someone was in the hospital, they were many times, the first to be there to visit. MawMaw’s caring nature often was expressed in the form of a card or letter in your mailbox.

MawMaw was a wonderful cook and shared this love by preparing family meals on many occasions. MawMaw would always go above and beyond to make sure that she had everybody’s favorite snacks and foods ready to go. If you were on a diet, you could forget about it at the Stanford home. She would always have plenty of candy, homemade cookies and angel food cake ready to enjoy. No one could go hungry around there! After one meal was coming to an end, the next meal was in the works.

One of MawMaw’s favorite pass times was to garden. Growing up on the farm, she always had a green thumb! Each year, they planted flowers and vegetables, especially tomatoes. She would always make sure to share their crop with family, friends and neighbors. No one ever left her house empty handed! MawMaw was very proud of her flowers each season and this brought her much joy. MawMaw and PawPaw were such a great example in the way they took excellent care of their yard and home. Toward their latter years, they planted pecan trees in their yard and would spend many hours in the yard collecting them.

In 2008, MawMaw and PawPaw moved to to be closer to their sons in Alpharetta, Georgia. This relocation was due to some health issues that needed close attention. Although, there is no place like home, these years were precious times spent with her family. These eight years were incredibly meaningful to her son Danny. It was such a gift to him to be able to be there for his Mother on a daily basis. There were many days and hours spent together reminiscing about the good ole days. These moments brought them closer together than ever before.

While residing at The Oaks, assisted living facility, the caregivers genuinely loved MawMaw. MawMaw genuinely loved them and appreciated how they cared for her. The caregivers looked forward to interacting with her because of her quick, witty sense of humor. In honor of MawMaw, The Oaks will be having a memorial service to celebrate her life. She left such a lasting impression on so many people.

We will miss her in our daily routine, but our fond memories will bring us comfort in the days to come.

Other than her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband, Spurgeon Stanford;her son, Dennis Lynn Stanford and six siblings. Survivors include her son, Danny Stanford and his wife, Debra, and three grandchildren; Sheridan Stanford Surles and her husband, Chris; Faithe Stanford Michaels and her husband, Dan; and Dennis L “Chip” Stanford, Jr. and his wife, Danni; four Great-Grandchildren, Dalton Surles, Landon Surles, Jared Michaels and Gavin Michaels; her sister, Jackie Blackmon Carey and her husband Walt Carey and nieces, nephews, cousins and friends.