Charles McKinley "Skinny" Stafford, 92, of 171 Edgewood Drive, Stanleytown, died Sunday, Feb. 1, 2009, at Memorial Hospital in Martinsville.

He was born July 30, 1916, in Bassett, to James Pinkney Stafford and Elizabeth Annie Franklin Stafford. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by three brothers, Reggie Stafford, Ralph Stafford and Jerome Stafford.

He attended Perry Business School in Martinsville and served in the Army during World War II. He was a member of First Baptist Church of Martinsville.

He owned and operated Stafford’s Jewelers in Bassett for more than 70 years. Surviving are his wife of 68 years, Blanche Slaydon Stafford of the home; a daughter, Marilyn Stafford Prillaman of Bassett; a brother, Yancey Stafford of Stanleytown; two grandsons; and four great-grandchildren.

The funeral will be at 11 a.m. Wednesday at Collins-McKee-Stone Funeral Home, Bassett, with the Revs. Dr. Dennis Knight and John Fulcher officiating. Burial will be in Oakwood Cemetery.
The family will receive friends from 6 to 8 p.m. Tuesday at the funeral home and other times at the home.