James Clifford (Bip) Stanfield was born October 13, 1917 in Hurley, TN the son of the late John Thomas and Julia E. Prather Stanfield. He was the ninth of twelve children.
He was united in marriage to Lodema J. Moore on October 28, 1942. Mrs. Stanfield preceded him in death on November 16, 2005, following 63 years of marriage.
Mr. Stanfield was a retired teacher, having taught in the Hardeman and McNairy County School Systems for 37 years. During his tenure, he also coached junior high basketball at Ramer and Bethel Springs. Mr. Stanfield earned his undergraduate degree in Agricultural Education from the University of Tennessee in Knoxville, and a Masters of Education from Memphis State University in 1961. He was a long time member of the Ramer Baptist Church, a charter member of the Ramer Ruritan Club, and a lifetime member of the Middleton Masonic Lodge, where he attained the rank of Master Mason. Mr. Stanfield was a die-hard fan of the U. T. Lady Vols and U. T. football. He was especially pleased that three of his grandchildren thusfar have decided to attend his alma mater in Knoxville.
Mr. Stanfield was a United States Army veteran of World War II, having been severely wounded during the attack on Pearl Harbor. He was awarded the Purple Heart and later discharged as a result of his injuries. While teaching and following retirement, Mr. Stanfield farmed and raised purebred Angus Beef Cattle. He loved to be outdoors, enjoying the changing seasons and taking care of his cattle.
Mr. Stanfield died peacefully in his sleep at the Northbrooke Nursing Facility in Jackson, TN on December 9, 2012, at the age of 95 Years, 1 Month, 26 Days. He is survived by two sons, Roger Stanfield and wife Rebecca of Jackson, TN and Jarrell Stanfield and wife Teresa of Selmer, TN; three grandchildren: Elizabeth Stanfield, Tyler Stanfield, and Sarah Stanfield, two step-grandchildren, David Altfeld and Leah (Altfeld) Hubbard; a sister-in-law, Linda Ann Poindexter; special nieces and nephews, including Shelia Williams and Tom Stanfield; a sister, Evelyn Bennet of Memphis, TN; and many extended family and friends.
In addition to his wife and parents, Mr. Stanfield was preceded in death by a son, James Alvin Stanfield, and ten siblings.
