Virgil L. Stafford Jr.

VIRGIL LEE STAFFORD JR., was born on AUGUST 18TH , 1963 at HURLEY HOSPITAL IN FLINT, MICHIGAN. The son of VIRGIL LEE STAFFORD SR., of Memphis Tennessee and GERTRUDE “TRUDY” (MOSLEY) STAFFORD of Edwards, Mississippi. Virgil Sr. had come north after WWII in search of factory work. It was in Flint MI where he met Trudy and married in March of 1963. A few months later, they welcomed Virgil Jr. Celebration of Life Life started for Virgil Jr in a modest home on Avenue A in the heart of Flint. He first attended Dort School down the street from his childhood home. It was there, Virgil took an interest in running. From the age of 9, until his parents, Virgil Sr., and Trudy died in 1999 and 2010 respectively, Virgil would call 6306 Sally Court in Flint, Michigan home. He attended Brownell Elementary School, and the short lived “Flint Academy “ before ultimately attending and graduating from Flint Northwestern High School (N-Dub) as a Wildcat! It was at N-Dub where Virgil would meet most of his lifelong friends. Called “The Gutter-Buddies” , they were members of N-Dub’s track team at its core. Virgil loved running track/cross country and the friends that came with it. Before leaving Northwestern, Virgil had won a slew of medals, six varsity letters, and a bunch of titles. At the end of his school days in Flint, Virgil would attend the University of Illinois at Chicago Circle (UICC) on a track scholarship. Chicago would become a second home to Virgil, and the place where he would later meet the love of his life. UICC is where Virgil began his college track journey and went on to graduate to earn his B.S. Degree. Years later, Virgil began his lengthy career in the Cyber-Security Industry as a Senior Account Executive where he left an extraordinary impression on all those who knew and worked with him until his passing. It was in his second home of Chicago in 2013, when Virgil met his true love, soulmate and best-friend, Lori Blake while visting in Chicago for the 4th of July weekend. Virgil and Lori’s union happened all by faith. Virgil crossed paths with Lori while he was on a blind-date that went wrong. An unexpected turn of events took place by divine intervention. Let’s just say, his blind date was unable to hold her water and an open seat happened to become available and it was there, when Lori took her seat next to Virgil, not knowing that she had just found her “One”. The introduction of Virgil and Lori happened…..the rest is history and they committed their love for one-another and married 8 years later on July 31, 2021 in Chicago. When Virgil wasn’t hard at work, he could be found either next to Lori, enjoying laughter with family and friends, watching football or dancing throughout the house whenever he had an extra moment. Virgil accepted Christ at a young age by attending Morningstar Missionary Baptist Church with his mother. Although he attended many churches over the years, he eventually settled on Triumph as his Church Home and regularly attended service at its North Campus. HE leaves to cherish his memory: His wife, Lori (Blake) Stafford of Chicago, Sons, Tyler Fields of North Carolina, Virgil L. Stafford III of Detroit, and Marique Stafford also of Detroit. Daughters, Brandi (Garrett) Hammond, of Sidney, Australia and Alexandria “Tornea” Peden of Orlando, Florida Grandchildren: Aria Jade Hammond-3 of Sidney Australia, Ethan Samuel Hammond – 3 months of Sidney Australia and Khalil Holland – 7 of Orlando, Florida Sisters: Faye (Sam) Wells of Dallas, TX and Carla Shelton, of Indianapolis, Indiana Brother: Ellis“Bo” (Darlyn) Stafford of Houston, Texas, Other Brothers, Terence Greene and Kevin Croom Nieces: Tiffany Wells of Dallas. Texas, Maricia Stafford of Houston, Texas, Marisa Stafford, Bellville, Michigan, Diamond Shelton of Indianapolis, Indiana Nephews: Samual (Nikki) Wells of Atlanta, GA Mother-in-Law: Florence Blake of Chicago, IL Sister-in-Law: Tara Blake (Mario) of Matteson, IL Brothers-in-Laws: Victor Blake, Tony Blake, Darris Blake, Randall Blake, Eric Blake, and Chris Blake, all from Chicago, IL A host of other relatives and Special Friends Virgil is Preceded in Death By: Gertrude Stafford – Mother, Virgil L. Stafford Sr., - Father, Ella May Mosley - Grand Mother, Jesse Mosley- Grand Father, Emma Stafford – Grand Mother, Bud Stafford – Grand Father and Sister, Barbara Key The family would like to express our special thanks to everyone who has taken the time to call, text, send words of encouragement and stop by. Your love, support, inspiration and prayers are greatly appreciated

Virgil L. Stafford Jr.

February 13, 2025