WEST POINT — Antonio “Popeye” Stafford was born on March 9, 1973 in Troup County, Georgia to Carrie Faye Stafford and the late Melvin Towles.

For more than 20 years, he courageously and graciously fought a hard battle. On Saturday, December 30, 2017, his earthly journey ended at Columbus Hospice in Columbus, Ga.

At an early age Antonio joined St. John Baptist Church on the Stateline Road. He was the product of Troup County Public Schools.

“Popeye,” as he was affectionately known, was a loving and devoted son, brother, uncle, and friend, always putting others before himself. He had the most generous, loving heart and touched many lives with his presence. His family will always be thankful for the gift which was his life.

He was preceded in death by his maternal grandparents, Osborn and Eva Lee Stafford; paternal grandparents, Charles and Charlee Towles and seven uncles.

Popeye will be missed by many and leaves to cherish his precious memories a devoted and faithful mother, Carrie Stafford, West Point; siblings, Antionette Stafford (his twin), Dexter Stafford, Wendy Potts and Eric Stafford, all of West Point,  Chiquita (Barry) Halfin of LaGrange, Vincent (Priscilla) Towles of Gray, Ga., Debbie Clark of Snellville, Ga. and Vikki Towles of Lanett; maternal aunts Janice Cherry, Geneva Stafford, Katherine Stafford, Evelyn (Walter) Dunn, Katie Stafford, Mary Stafford, Lavone Dawson, all of West Point, and Wanda (David) Bradberry of Claxton, Ga.; maternal uncles, John Stafford, Jessie Stafford and William Cumberlander, all of West Point; paternal aunts Frances Gilbert of Macon Ga., Evelyn James, Gennessia Daniel, both of Gray, Ga., Carolyn Hunter, Gwendolyn Towles and Cheryl Smith of East Point, Ga.; nephew and niece, whom he reared as his own, Cardarious Stafford and Yasmine Stafford of West Point; three great aunts, Rose Devance and Mary Evans of Lanett, Ruby Jackson of Baltimore, Md.; two special girls, whom he reared has his own, London Allen and Alaya Johnson of LaGrange,  and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins other relatives and friends.

A Celebration of Life Service will be held on Saturday, January 6, 2018 at 2 p.m. EST  at the Bethlehem Baptist Church with the Dr. W.T. Edmondson, pastor, and Rev. LaFrederick Bridges, eulogist. officiating. Interment will be held in the Westview Cemetery following the service. The remains will lie in state at the church on Saturday, January 6, 2018 from 1 p.m. until the funeral hour. The family may be contacted at the residence of Ms. Carrie Stafford, 907 E. 9th Street, West Point.

To express online condolences, please visit our website at:www.mwleemortuary.com.

Funeral arrangements entrusted to M.W. Lee Mortuary, West Point.