Rosie Mae Stanford (Nee: Stewart) was born October 12, 1940 in Gold Hill Alabama to O'Neal Stewart and Pinkie Lee Gentry. Mae, as she was affectionately known, was the third born of the children. All of which but one sister, Catherine Williams, preceded her in death. Willie James Stewart, Johnny Lee Stewart, Paul Stewart, Cora Stewart, and Eva Mae Cannon (Tommy Lee Cannon). Mae relocated to Salem, Alabama as a child where she attended Wacoochee School, which served as the elementary, junior high, and high school. She met and married John Willie Stanford. To this union nine children were born with two preceding in her death: MaryAnn and Debbie. Mae often spoke of MaryAnn and Debbie and made it known that she had one additional son, Richard L. Stewart whom she raised. She also cared for her younger brother, Johnny Stewart; Big John as he was called.

She worked in various Cotton Mills in the south until relocating to Cincinnati, Ohio in 1977. She was a friend to all she met. Mae loved her family and had contact with her children and family daily. She was a phenomenal cook; everyone loved her chicken dressing. She was known for her big meals which she continued cooking until the end. She loved dancing and could out dance the best of us. At 80 years old, she could still go down to the ground and come back up. In addition to dancing, she was a beautiful singer. She really loved music and singing. She would hum and make her own tunes. She remained active and completed her own cleaning. She really enjoyed watching TV and doing word searches every single day. She was very funny and a great storyteller. She was extraordinarily strong, often saying "It's going to take a lot to whoop this old gray-haired lady." More importantly, she knew and loved God. She accepted Christ at an early age and recently confessed Christ again. Mae often said to everyone that she prayed every day for hours. Her quote was "The Lord sho' has been good to Mae," and "Things are okay with me and my Master."

Mae leaves to cherish her memory and forever hold her in our hearts, her husband, John W. Stanford; her children, Diane O'Bryant (Gregory), Teresa Stanford, Willie Kenneth Stanford (C.J), Gloria Denise Stanford (George), Loretta Allen, Stephanie Denise Stanford, Tony O. Stanford (Stephanie, who loves and treated Mae like her own mother) and Richard Stewart; one surviving sister, Catherine Williams; nearly 20 grandchildren; several great grandchildren; a host of nieces and nephews, all of Cincinnati, Ohio, Salem, Alabama, and a special friend, Mike Floyd.

Visitation is from 10:00 am until 11:00 am, on  Friday, December 18, 2020, at the Walker- McMILLAN STREET CHAPEL, 1025 E. McMillan Street , Cincinnati  (45206).   The funeral service will immediately follow the visitation beginning at 11:00 am. Everyone attending must wear a mask and practice social distancing.

Interment will follow at Vine Street Hill Cemetery, 3701 Vine Street, Cincinnati, Ohio 45220.

In keeping with the Covid-19 Pandemic restrictions masks are required in order to enter  the service and social distancing must be practiced.  Please be prepared to comply for the safety of all.

To share a memory of Rosie or leave a special message for the Stanford family, please click the "Tribute Wall" tab above and to the right, enter the information, and click "Save Post."

Walker Funeral Home is honored to serve the  Stanford family.  Please call (513) 251-6200 or visit www.WalkerFuneralHome.com for additional information.