Marcelle Stafford

Marcelle went to Heaven Tuesday, October 11, 2016. Tuesday was the 8th day of her most recent stay at CMH. Marcelle passed in the company of her daughter, Cheryl Haley DDS and the Revered Billy Russell. Marcelle entered gates of heaven with and dignity and grace. Marcelle was born on Oct. 5th, 1924, the only child to Wilma Zoe (Kifer) Lower and Matt Robert Lower. She was born in a modest farm house west of Bolivar on a farm now owned by Trent Drake. She was a great-great-granddaughter of John Polk Campbell and great-great-niece Ezekiel Madison Campbell, the founders and developers of Greene and Polk county. Throughout her life she promoted and preserved the history of our great community. When Marcelle was 4 years old her family bought a 40-acre farm, four (4) miles west of Bolivar near the S curve. These were happy times. There was no electricity and farming was done by horse drawn equipment. All their food was raised on the farm. Marcelle attended Woodlawn School until it was time for High School. In 1939 she began Bolivar High School and bussed to school. WWII was raging in Europe. Marcelle remembers sitting on an egg crate when the radio the news of Pearl Harbor was announced throughout the land. From that day forward, she became an adamant history enthusiast, totally engaged in the history of our nation. She graduated Bolivar High School in 1943 and remained a faithful student throughout her life. On February 1, 1943 she married Billy “Bill” Ellis Haley, her childhood sweetheart. In March 1943 Bill was drafted into the Army and reported to duty in San Diego, Ca. Upon high school graduation, Marcelle joined Bill in California. Marcelle, then began work in factories supporting the war effort. In 1944, Bill was sent to Europe joining U.S. forces in France and Germany. Marcelle subsequently joined the Haley family, parents and three (3) sisters, living together until the end of WWII. After the war Bill and Marcelle worked and resided in California. Marcelle loved California. Then, in 1951, Bill and Marcelle moved back to Bolivar settling on a farm west of Bolivar, the old Teagarden Farm. Bill and Marcelle farmed and milked cows. In 1952, a daughter, Cheryl Doncella Haley was born. Cheryl is a now a dentist and resides in Nixa, Mo. In 1964, Marcelle went to work for Teters Floral Products and continued until her retirement in 1982. Bill preceded her in death in 1973. Marcelle’s passions included fishing, gardening, reading history, and quilting. She enjoyed attending church and the Senior Center. She was an active member of the First Baptist Church in Bolivar, Mo. In 1986, Marcelle married Bruce Bowles Stafford, who she had known since high school. This was a union of 22 years. In 1988, Marcelle and Bruce left the farm and moved to Bolivar, where they resided until Bruce’s death in 2008. She is survived by her daughter, Dr. Cheryl Haley of Nixa, MO., sister in-law Vera Haley Owen of Milwaukee, Wisconsin, six(6) nieces, one (1) nephews, and a host of step grandchildren and great grandchildren. Memorial donations can be made to First Baptist church of Bolivar, MO or Bolivar Senior Citizens Center. Funeral services for Marcelle Stafford will be held Saturday, October 15, 2016 at 11:00 AM Butler Funeral Home Chapel in Bolivar, MO. Visitation will be Friday, October 14, 2016 from 5-7 PM at Butler Funeral Home. Burial will be in the Greenwood Cemetery in Bolivar, MO. Services under the care and direction of the Butler Funeral Home in Bolivar.

Marcelle Stafford

October 5, 1924 - October 11, 2016