Maricia Ann Stafford, 70, of Mulberry passed away May 2 at Freeman West Medical Center in
Joplin, Missouri after a short battle with cancer.
She was born in Coffeyville, Kansas on March 1, 1955, to Donald and Mary Houghton. In 1956
they moved to Mulberry, Kansas where she attended Mulberry schools. She attended Northeast
High School and graduated in 1973. After high school, she worked for a short period of time
before she joined the military and was stationed in Germany until she was honorably
discharged.
She met her loving husband, David Stafford, in Germany and they were married in 1977. After
their time in the military, they lived in Louisiana where they had two children, Donnie and Kasey.
They traveled all over the United States as a family and continued to travel with their grandson;
many summers spending time in Louisiana and Mississippi.
Maricia was largely a stay-at-home mom until they moved to Pennsylvania where she worked
part-time at the local YMCA childcare center. In 1993 they moved to Kansas to be closer to
family and she joined USD 250 where she held multiple roles. She also worked as a secretary
at TLC for many years. After 30 years with the district, she retired in 2023 but returned part time
in 2024. She was passionate about saving animals and loved to research things from the best
activities to do on vacation to the best places to eat. One of Maricia’s favorite roles was being a
grandparent, always spoiling her grandchildren for birthdays and holidays. She also loved her
dogs deeply, treating them like family members.
She is proceeded in death by her son, Donnie, and her parents Don and Mary. She is survived
by her husband David Stafford of the home, daughter Kasey Zimmerman (James) of Pittsburg,
grandchildren Tayten Kelsey, Brittany Magee (Matt), Paige Williamson (Troy), James
Zimmerman Jr. (Daytona) and Beau Zimmerman (Brianna); great grandchildren Asher, Kash,
Luke, Jackson, Henley and Demi. She is also survived by sisters Kim Waggener (Jerry) of Weir,
Dana Shaffer (Bill) of Mulberry, Pam Houghton of Girard and Kristin Netherton (Jim) of Richards,
Missouri. She also leaves behind many beloved cousins, nieces and nephews.
A celebration of life will be held May 8 at Frisco Event Center, 210 East Fourth Street, Pittsburg,
Kansas. Please stop in anytime from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. and get a bite to eat and share your
favorite memory of Maricia. Flowers or memorial donations may be sent to her daughters home at 608 Thomas in Pittsburg, KS
Arrangements are under the direction of Ozark Memorial Park Crematory Joplin, MO
2 Responses
To th family
I never met Maricia personally. But we became fast friends on FB. Both of us being grieving mothers, and also politics.
She was a bright, insightful, kind genuine woman and I liked her immediately.
Sending prayers to the family and to all who knew and loved her.
To the family,
I knew Maricia when we were all just young-ins. Our parents hung out together. My parents were Edith and John Arthur and then Kay & John once my mom divorced dad. I am Cindy (Arthur) Jones. Anyhow being out on the farm was the best times of my growing up. We would all play out in the fields and of course Maricia always had her cowboy hat, boots and her gun holster on. We had so much fun. Oh yeah and going out to the out house after dark that was always an adventure. We had a lot of fun self made out there in Mulberry.
My Condolences’ to the family. I know she will be missed. I’m praying for peace and comfort for each of you through this difficult time. God is so good and loves each and every one of us.
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