Sue Ann Stafford-Spicer

Sue Ann Stafford-Spicer had many interests and hobbies, ranging from an oriental memorabilia collection to the country tunes of Reba McEntire and Dolly Parton. What was most important to her, however, was her beloved family. Sue Ann was never happier than when taking care of those she loved, and everyone who knew her will remember that she always put others before herself. In trying to make sense of her loss, friends and family can remember the words Sue Ann herself spoke so often: “Everything is going to be alright.”

Sue Ann was born on May 1, 1958, in Vicksburg, Michigan. Her proud parents were George and Beverly (Chapman) Stafford. With eight children, there was never a dull moment in the Stafford household. Sue Ann was the third oldest, with siblings Georgia, Larry, Dale “Fatman”, Kathy, George, Bill Joe, and Melissa and one half sister, Sonja. George and Beverly both worked outside the home to support their large family, Beverly at the post office and George as a truck driver and carpenter. For the most part, Sue Ann grew up in Vicksburg, although the family did move to Portage after Sue Ann’s older sister graduated from high school. Being one of the older children, Sue Ann often helped to take care of her younger brothers and sisters. Sue Ann didn’t mind the extra work; on the contrary, she was happy to help out. In her free time, she enjoyed roller skating at the Long Lake Roller Rink and the JD Roller Rink.

In 1971, Sue Ann met the man destined to be the love of her life, Jim Spicer. Jim’s best friend Luke was Sue Ann’s next-door neighbor, so the two often crossed paths. When Sue Ann was 14, she and Jim gave birth to their first son, Jimmy. Since Jim was in the Marines at the time, Sue Ann continued to live at home. Thanks to the loving support of her family, Sue Ann was able to graduate from Portage Northern High School in 1976, in spite of the challenges of being a student and a mother. After graduation from high school in 1978 Sue and Jim had a second son named Joe. Sue Ann found a job with the United States Postal Service soon thereafter. Although Sue Ann and Jim sometimes drifted apart throughout the years, they could never stay apart for long. In addition to Jimmy and Joe, Sue Ann loved Jim's three other children: Bubba, Sarah and Stacey. In 2008, they were finally married, confirming what their friends and family had known all along: Sue Ann and Jim were meant to be together. At the reception, Sue Ann and Jim's favorite song, “When a Man Loves a Woman" was played.

As Sue Ann grew older, she was blessed by the births of nine grandchildren. Sue Ann never tired of helping care for her grandchildren – she was there for them all day, everyday. Her grandchildren meant the world to her, and they all loved their “Granny Sue.” In 2008, Sue Ann was baptized, along with many of her family members (three generations). Sue Ann cherished her faith, and it made her very happy that so many of her family members also wanted to enter the Church.

In her free time, Sue Ann’s favorite pastime was visiting the casinos. Even as her health deteriorated, she still managed to get there a few times every month. She also enjoyed going to garage sales. Typically, many of the items she bought were not for herself, but for her family, especially her grandchildren.

Sue Ann Stafford-Spicer was a kind and generous woman, and a wonderful wife, mother and grandmother. She will be deeply missed and lovingly remembered by her many friends and family members.

Sue Ann died on Sunday, February 5, 2012, at the age of 53. She is survived by her husband, Jim Spicer; her children, Jimmy Spicer of Vicksburg, Joe (Meredith) Spicer of Vicksburg, Bubba (Kari) Spicer of Vicksburg, Sarah Preston of Portage, and Stacey (Johnny) Goodacre of Vicksburg; her nine grandchildren. She is also survived her mother, Beverly Stafford; her siblings, Georgia Stafford of Three Rivers, Larry Stafford of Vicksburg, Dale “Fatman” Stafford of Vicksburg, Kathy (John) Stafford-Kye of Vicksburg, George Stafford Jr. of Vicksburg, Bill Joe Stafford of Three Rivers, Melissa Snyder of Portage, and Sonja Pullen of Paw Paw; and many nieces and nephews. She is preceded in death by her father, George Stafford.

The family will receive friends on Wednesday, from 4 to 7 p.m., at the Life Story Funeral Home, 409 S. Main St., Vicksburg (649-1697). Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. on Thursday at the Chapman Memorial Church of the Nazarene. Burial will take place at the Vicksburg Cemetery.

Please visit Sue Ann’s personal memory page at www.lifestorynet.com, where you can learn more about her life and sign her memory book. Those who wish may make donations to the www.fightersas.org , donations can be made by clicking on the Paypal link.