Lenora (Thomas) Stanford

Lenora Pauline (Thomas) Stanford passed away peacefully at McMahon Tomlinson nursing home on February 22, 2018 at the age of 91.

Lenora was born January 8, 1927 in Seminole County, Maud, Oklahoma, to Cladie James and Levada Ellen (Crow) Thomas. She was the oldest of their six children. She lived there until two years of age, then they moved to Cotton County near Walters, Oklahoma. She went to Emerson Grade School and graduated from Walters High School in 1945.

Lenora moved to Lawton and worked at the Southwestern Telephone Company for one year before marrying Charles Roy Stanford in Lawton, April 6, 1946. They had two daughters, Loretta and Beverly. They owned and operated the Corral Motel from 1955 until they sold it in 1960. They owned and operated several businesses including Roy’s Auto Supply. They sold out and retired in 1980.

After retirement they thoroughly enjoyed traveling to many places whether it be with friends or family, just enjoying life together made them happy. They shared a love of traveling in their RV by spending winters in south Texas, and summers in New Mexico. Lenora was a strong, independent, and kind-hearted person. She was such a pretty woman who took good care of herself, as well as making sure all her family was always taken care of. She never stopped being the oldest big sister who took care everyone. Although she had many attributes, loving others was one she always showed and shared with everyone she knew. Lenora loved the Lord her God and her family as well. She would always say, “Love, Love, Love you!”

She was a member of the First Baptist Church in Walters, where she enjoyed sharing fellowship with many friends and family throughout the years. Lenora’s strength showed as she lived alone in Walters after Roy’s passing in 1998, until 2006 when she moved to Lawton to be near her daughter.

Survivors include two daughters Loretta Stewart (Larry), Lawton, and Beverly Watson (Don), Chattanooga, TN. Three grandchildren, Kelly Thomas (Don), Chattanooga, TN, Brent Stewart (Jody), Lawton, Austin Watson (Lara), Chattanooga, TN. Eight Great grandchildren, Kyle Thomas (Savannah), Ringgold, GA, Makenna Thomas, Knoxville, TN, Bradley and Bailey Stewart, Lawton, Cody Thomas of Ringgold, GA, Carly, Avery, and Liza Blake Watson, Chattanooga, TN. Three Great-Great Grandsons, Ty Thomas, Gage and Cooper, all of Ringgold, GA. One sister Delores Dorton, Burkburnett, TX and her brother Clay Thomas, Denton, TX.

She was preceded in death by her parents, her husband Roy Stanford, three sisters, Daisy Thomas, Mary Matlock, and Mildred Louise Stengl.

She has requested in lieu of flowers contributions be made to the Walters Cemetery Association, or First Baptist Church, Walters.