Mary Nell Long Stafford

Mary Nell Long Stafford, 93, of Winston-Salem, NC passed away peacefully on Sunday, August 17, 2025, at her home. She was born to the late Richard Long and Alma Whitesides Long on October 16, 1931, in Gaston County, NC.

Mary grew up on the family farm in Union County, SC. After graduating high school, she went on to attend nursing school at Mercy Hospital in Charlotte. She married the love of her life, Ray, and spent many happy years together and was a proud Navy wife. Mary retired from Wake Forest Baptist Hospital after over 30 years as a Registered Nurse. She was a faithful member of Calvary Baptist Church for 45 years. It is there where she watched over the children’s nursery for over 20 years. Mary enjoyed many hobbies such as gardening flowers and vegetables. She will be deeply missed and cherished by all those she left behind.

In addition to her parents, Mary is preceded in death by her loving husband of 64 years, Ray Lemar Stafford; daughter, Rosemary Jacobson; son-in-law, Joseph Jacobson; sister, Elizabeth Naffziger; three brothers, Kenneth Long, Otto Long, and Claude “Buck” Long; and three grandchildren.

She is survived by her three sons, Dennis Stafford (Wanda), Douglas Stafford (Barbara), and David Stafford (Melody); six grandchildren, Lauren, Jonathan, Kaitlin, Hannah, Rusty, and Jacob; nine great-grandchildren, Nora, Ambrose, Hudson, Micah, Corrie, Hannah Reece, Hadley, Hank, and A.J.; and brother, Tom Long (Brenda).

A funeral service will be held at 2:00pm on Tuesday, August 19, 2025, at Hayworth-Miller Kernersville Chapel. The family will receive friends from 1:00pm to 2:00pm before the service. Officiating the service is Rev. Jonathan Stafford. The burial will follow at Mt. Gur Cemetery in Kernersville. In lieu of flowers the family asks that donations be made to Trellis Supportive Care at 101 Hospice Lane, Winston-Salem, NC 27103 or Meals on Wheels at 2895 Shorefair Drive NW, Winston-Salem, NC 27105.