Earnest Ray Stanford

Earnest Ray Stanford, April 6, 1927 - Nov. 23, 2014 Earnest Ray Stanford, age 87 of Fairhope, Alabama passed away on Sunday, November 23, 2014. Mr. Stanford, or Earnie as he was known by family and friends, was born in Summerland, MS and raised in Birmingham, Alabama. He was a graduate of Ensley High School, where he later served as a coach for basketball and football. After his service in the United States Army, Earnie received his Bachelor of Science degree from Birmingham Southern College in 1951. He taught and coached at the high school level, then began a career in management positions for Stockham Valves and Fittings. He later initiated operations at Rockingham Stainless Steel in Rockingham, North Carolina. Upon returning to Birmingham, Earnie committed much of his free time to his church, Mountain Chapel United Methodist Church in Hoover, where he taught Sunday school for over 32 years. He was inducted into the BSC Sports Hall of Fame in 1991 for outstanding performance in baseball and basketball. He retired to Fairhope, Alabama and remained a faithful servant to the Lord as a member of Fairhope United Methodist Church. A dedicated and beloved husband, father and grandfather, he exemplified a quiet and kind dignity to all he knew. Earnie is preceded in death by his parents, Mary Elizabeth and Burrell Jackson Stanford; and his brother Jack. He is survived by his loving wife of 63 years, Kathryn Holder Stanford; sons, Earnest Ray Stanford, Jr. and wife Cathy of Atlanta, GA and Jack Calvin Stanford and wife Martha of Florence, AL; daughter, Karen Stanford Haywood and husband Roy of Fairhope, AL; grandchildren, Casey Stanford Zintel (Sean), Diana Stanford, Leslie Stanford, John Stanford, Adam Haywood (Jordan), Drew Stanford, Nathan Haywood, and Kyndall Haywood; one great-granddaughter, Calleigh Zintel. There will be two services to honor Mr. Stanford. A funeral service will be held on Saturday, November 29th at Mountain Chapel United Methodist Church in Hoover, Alabama at 11:00 am. Visitation for friends and family will be held one hour prior to service. A memorial service will be held in Fairhope, Alabama on Sunday November 30th at Fairhope United Methodist Church at 2 pm. A reception will follow. In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorial donations be sent to the Birmingham Southern College Athletic Foundation, Box 549041, Birmingham, Alabama 35254. Arrangements under the direction of Johns-Ridout's Mortuary-Elmwood Chapel, Birmingham, AL.