Herman Vivian Stafford Sr.

BALTIMORE - Herman Vivian Stafford Sr., 91, also known as "Viv" to his family and friends passed away Saturday, May 19, 2007.

He was born Jan. 17, 1916, in Dorchester County, second eldest son of six children born to the late Herman Edward and Gracie Mae Elliott Stafford.

Mr. Stafford was educated in the public schools of Dorchester County. While living in Cambridge he was employed at Phillips Packing Co. where he built warehouses.

Upon moving to Baltimore in 1942, he attended welding school and became a first class welder at Maryland Drydock, where he worked on ships during World War II. In 1945 he joined Bethlehem Steel where he was employed as a hot metal weigher for 35 1/2 years.

In 1954 he met and later married Louise Stevenson. From this union, came two daughters Cheryl and Linda. A daughter, Ada Wongus and two sons, Herman Vivian Stafford Jr. and O'Donald Stafford were born from a previous marriage.

Mr. Stafford became a Christian at an early age. Mr. Stafford and his family attended John Wesley UM Church on Linas Road. After moving to Baltimore, he began attending Christian Memorial Church.

At the age of 7, Mr. Stafford learned to cook and was able to help care for his ailing mother and his family. He loved playing with his uncle, Theo and Floyd, and his childhood friend, Goldsbury. While growing up, he worked on his family's farm. He enjoyed hunting with his brothers, Artemus and Emerson.

He is survived by his wife of 46 years, Louise S. Stafford; three daughters, Ada Wongus of East New Market, Cheryl and Linda of Baltimore; one son, O'Donald Stafford of Baltimore; one sister, Gladys Stafford of Hurlock; nine grandchildren; 13 great-grandchildren; one great-great-grandchild; a daughter-in-law, Barbara Stafford of Baltimore; a sister-in-law, Elaine S. Stafford of Cambridge; four nieces, Enez-Stafford Grubb and Darlene Sterling both of Cambridge, JoAnn Green (James) of Hurlock and Irene Evans (Michael) of Baltimore; two nephews, Lewis Stafford (Theresa), Edward Sterling (Connie), both of Cambridge; two honorary sons, Louis Jones and Brandon Wylie, both of Baltimore and a number of cousins, other relatives and friends.

In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his son, Herman Vivian Stafford Jr.; two sisters, Annie Sterling and Emma Stafford; two brothers, Artemus Stafford and Emerson Stafford; one son-in-law, Bobby Wongus and mother-in-law, Ophelia Stevenson.

The Wylie Funeral Home of Baltimore is handling the arrangements.