Murrells Inlet, SC

Pamela Earl Stafford, 59, passed away peacefully in her sleep May 11, 2012.  She was born May 25, 1952 in Newport, Rhode Island to her joyful parents William Earl Williams and Claudia Elizabeth (Lib) Williams.  She was predeceased by her father the late William Earl Williams. The worldly phase of her life concluded during the quiet moments of her sleep on May 11, 2012.  Her strong will, wistful nature, and loving spirit are already missed among her family, friends, and colleagues. 

Pam Stafford became a Registered Nurse in Florida in the 1970s.  Throughout her years of nursing she was loved and respected by the patients and the families that she touched as well as the physicians who depended on her. As a friend or a colleague you were sure to laugh, cry and learn with her. Her path in nursing offered her many experiences and was part of her heart.  She nursed in Florida, South Carolina, Arizona, New Jersey, New Mexico and the US Virgin Islands.

She was an open minded soul who loved the Native American culture, the desert, animals, (especially her dog Sammy), music, bike week and experiencing life in her own way.  As a mother and a grandmother she was not what most would say is “conventional” but her children and grandchildren would have had it no other way. She loved to laugh and play and do things with her children that were fun and memorable yet she taught them lessons by example as well as by affording them “protected” independence so that they could grow and become strong individuals.  She lived her life “Pam’s way” and those of us who know her would not have had her any other way.

  Although her time with us has passed so quickly, our loss can be lessened in the comfort that she is peaceful with God and we know his staff has received a bold and courageous addition.

She is survived by her mother, Elizabeth Benton Cox and her husband, Esters; her grandmother, Mrs. Horry (Lucille) H. Benton of Murrells Inlet; her son, Everett Stafford and his wife, Danielle, of Sugar Land, TX; her daughter, Lisa Norton and her husband, Greg, of Rock Hill, SC; her two brothers, Jan Williams of High Point, NC and Kim Williams and his wife, Gail, of Winston-Salem, NC; and four sisters, Linda Pervis of Florence, SC; Susan Craven and her husband, Kenneth, of Marion, SC; Janet Schultz and her husband, Bill, of Florence, SC; and Deborah Mixon of Florence, SC.  She also leaves with love five grandchildren: Chris, Kyle, and Zack Stafford, Brittany Heid, and Daniel Norton and one great-grand child, Branton Heid.  

A Memorial Service will be held at 10:00 AM, Thursday, May 17, 2012 at McMillan-Small Funeral Home with the Rev. Bruce Crawford officiating.   A visitation will follow the service at the funeral home.  

Memorials may be made to the Myrtle Beach Humane Society, 3241 10th Ave. North, Myrtle Beach, SC 29577 or the charity of one’s choice.