Joan Scott Stafford was born in Dubuque, Iowa January 3, 1928 to Glenn Wilkison Scott and Ethel May Chatfield Scott. Joan passed away peacefully on September 3, 2023, in Broken Arrow, Oklahoma, surrounded by family.
The youngest of four children, Joan spent her early childhood growing up on the family farm in Epworth, Iowa. She and her family later relocated to Green Forest, Arkansas. Joan graduated from Green Forest High School where she met and later married her husband of 64 years, R.E. (Gene) Stafford.
Joan was a lifelong member of the Methodist church serving in many capacities over the years, including Sunday school teacher, choir director, pianist and organist. Most notably, she formed and supervised the Department of Office Services at First United Methodist Church in Tulsa in 1978, enhancing administrative procedures utilized by staff and ministers. In 1981, Joan became Assistant to the Pastor, serving both Senior Pastor Dr. L.D. Thomas and Dr. James B. Buskirk.
Affectionately known as Mimi to her family, Joan was the mother of three children, Annette Shortess (Steve), James David Stafford (Patricia), and Phillip Scott Stafford (Marilyn). She was beloved by her 12 grandchildren, and 20 great grandchildren.
In addition to her parents, Joan is pre-deceased by her husband, Gene, her son, James David, her brothers, Jim and David and her sister, Margaret. She is survived by her daughter, Annette and son, Phillip.
A celebration of life will be held at 11:00 am, Tuesday, September 12th at First Methodist Church Tulsa. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to First Methodist Church Tulsa, Pastors Provident Fund, or other favorite Christian organization.
Visitation will be held from 4:00 pm to 6:00 pm, Sunday, September 10th at Fitzgerald Funeral Services, Southwood Colonial Chapel, Tulsa.