Hank Stafford

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Henry Lee Stafford, Jr., better known to most as Hank--son, brother, dad, husband and friend died on Thursday, March 12, 2020 at home in Raleigh, 7 days shy of his 56th birthday.

A native of Raleigh, Hank graduated from Sanderson High School in 1982. He attended Elon College, and graduated from North Carolina State University with a BA degree in 1992. Hank went to work in the dry cleaning industry while attending high school and owned Carriage House Cleaners in Garner at the time of his death.

Throughout his life, Hank was passionate about family, friends, cooking and sports. He grew up playing football with friends in junior and senior high school, water-skied, snow-skied, and played golf. For those who knew him best, he will be remembered for his big heart, being a hard worker, as the funniest guy in the room, and always running into someone he knew wherever he went. His door was always open until he “was ready” for you to go home. He was a baby-charmer and the life of the party. He will be missed for his home cooked meals, his humor, his smile, and for just being a people person. In our hearts, he will always be remembered as the grill master, knuckle and chin squeezer, and sugar-shack taker that he was.

Hank professed Jesus Christ as his personal Lord and Savior. He had a desire to help those that were unable to help themselves, and he made a difference in their life whenever possible. One of Hank’s life verses that encouraged and navigated him through the storms of this life was Isaiah 25:4, “{Lord} Fore thou hast been a strength to the needy in his distress, a refuge from the storm, a shadow from the heat…”

Hank was preceded in death by his father, Henry Lee Stafford; his paternal grandparents Boyce and Florence Stafford; his maternal grandparents Furman Wade and Rosalie Blake; numerous aunts and uncles.

He is survived by his daughter, Hannah Stafford; son, Lucas Stafford; their mother, Susan Stafford; by his mother, Sandra Sullivan (Thomas); sister, Belynda Kincaid (Billy); nephew, Kyle Gibson; nieces, Brandi Gibson, Briana Kincaid, and Brittany (Dustin) Woodle, and their children Payton and Brooks.

Family will receive friends on Wednesday, March 18, 2020, at 11 AM at Mitchell Funeral Home Chapel (7209 Glenwood Avenue); Funeral services at 12 PM, officiated by Pastor Charles Hatcher (seating to be limited to under 100 guests), and burial to follow at Raleigh Memorial Park.

In lieu of flowers, donations in Hank’s memory may be made to: American Foundation for Suicide Prevention, Neuse Baptist Church Building Fund: 4444 Louisbury Rd., Wake Forest, NC 27587, or your preferred charity.

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