James Howard Stanford, Sr., 93, passed away peacefully on Thursday, July 18, 2024 at his home. He was born on September 20, 1930 in Lumber City, GA to the late Ishmael and Lora Stanford. Howard served faithfully as a Deacon at Leslie Baptist Church, a Gideon, and as a sergeant in the Georgia National Guard. Mr. Stanford will be missed by many.

He was a skilled craftsman who could build anything from boats to homes and whose handiwork can still be seen throughout southwest Georgia. In his later years, he served on several short-term mission trips from Honduras to Alaska, using the gifts the Lord gave him to share the love of Jesus with so many.

Funeral Services will be held on Tuesday, July 23, 2024 at Leslie Baptist Church at 11 AM with Reverend Scott Tucker and Reverend Jim English officiating with burial to follow at Leslie City Cemetery. A Visitation will be held on Tuesday, July 23, 2024 at Leslie Baptist Church at 10 AM.

Pallbearers include Andy Stanford, Aiden Wooden, Stan Jones, Brian Deriso, David Deriso and Steve James.

Survivors include his daughter-in-law, Lynn Stanford; his grandchildren Brian (Angela) Deriso, Andy (Tina) Stanford), Julie (Brandon) Mercer; his great- grandchildren Emily Deriso, Lydia Deriso, Aiden Wooden, Conor Stanford, Mason Mercer, and Nathan Mercer.

He was preceded in death by his wife of 62 years Betty Stanford, his son James Howard Stanford, Jr., his daughter Sissy Deriso, his brother Bill Stanford, his sisters Betty Burger, Myrtle Williams, and Loraine Jones.

In lieu of flowers donations can be made to Leslie Baptist Church

106 S Bailey Ave., Leslie, GA 31764.