Mrs. Eliska Rose Stafford

Mrs. Eliska Rose Stafford, 59 of the Hillsdale community, passed away March 7th in Hattiesburg. Eliska was born April 27, 1959 in New Orleans, the oldest of two daughters to Ray Joseph & Mary Lou (Labatut) Guillory. She grew up in Bucktown, there on the shore of Lake Pontchartrain and loved the outdoors and camping. As a teenager, she joined the Jefferson Parish Sheriff's Dept. as a Jr. Deputy, and made many lifelong memories there. After graduating high school at Grace King, Eliska worked for Popeyes for several years. While there, her cousin arranged a blind date for her with John Stafford, which occurred on Fat Tuesday 1981. They visited the French Quarter, and had such a wonderful time that they married a year later, and had been together since. She worked for Eckerd drug stores for several years before joining the staff at Shoney's. For the past 17 years, they made their home in the Hillsdale community. A quiet, reserved woman, Eliska was more of a home-body according to John. She is remembered as a jovial lady that loved to pull practical jokes, especially on John. A loving wife and mother, she will be sadly missed by all who knew and loved her. She was preceded by her parents, Ray & Mary Lou, and her borther-in-law, Vick Vadonovich. Left to cherish her memories are: her loving husband of 36 years, John Stafford; their only daughter, Jessica (Eddie) Stafford Becker of Kenner; her two grandchildren, Justin Stafford and Lexie Baker, along with many friends and neighbors. Her final wishes were to be cremated, which her family is honoring, and she will be returned to Louisiana for interment at a later date. Please keep the Stafford family in your thoughts and prayers over the coming days.