Florita Young Stafford

Florita Stafford Young, a devoted mother and grandmother (Mimi), passed away peacefully on March 2, 2026, at the age of 88.

Born on May 13th, 1937, in Ft Worth, Tx to Oliver Newman Young and Florence Marie Lehman, she dedicated her life to bringing music to others. As a graduate of Polytechnic High School, she went on to receive her Bachelor of Music from Hardin Simmons University and a Master of Arts from West Texas State. A highlight of her college years was singing in the University Trio that traveled with the Cowboy Band doing USO shows for the servicemen in the Azores, Bermuda, Iceland and Scotland.

Her elementary teaching career started in 1959 in Pampa. She moved to Green Acres Elementary in Dumas followed by St. Andrews Day School in Amarillo. She spent the last 20 years of her career at Ridgecrest Elementary in Amarillo, retiring in 1996. She received Teacher of the Year at Ridgecrest and inspired generations of students to continue with music in their lives. For many years, she also volunteered at several churches to play piano and/or lead the choir.

She is preceded in death by her parents, her twin sister, Norita Sue Young, her husband Gordan L Stafford, Jr, stepson Steve Stafford, and granddaughter Hannah Shae George.

She is survived by her loving family: daughters Alyssa George (Dean) and her children Braeley & Caden; and Shannon Wingo (Carl) and her children Reagan, Clayton & Hayden; her stepson, Wyatt Stafford (Donna) and his daughter Whitney; and grandson Robert Stafford, son of the late Steve Stafford, as well as numerous great grandchildren.

She will be remembered for her amazing musical talent, her humor and wit, and her dedicated love for her children and grandchildren.

A private family memorial is being held at a later date.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to St. Jude Children’s Hospital or MD Anderson Cancer Center in her name.