Delia Brown Stanford

Delia "DeeDee" Brown Stanford passed away peacefully on Wednesday June 25, 2025 at Mission Hospital after a brief illness.

She was born on September 5, 1934 to the late Jesse Franklin and Guscelia Morgan Brown.

Delia married Carl "Buddy" Stanford in 1954. She was a 1952 graduate of Sylva High School and received her bachelor's degree in education from Western Carolina College in 1959. She taught at Hazelwood Elementary School and Cherokee Elementary School. In the 1970's DeeDee and Buddy owned and operated the Drama Motel in Cherokee. In the 1990's she taught computer science and continuing education at Southwestern Community College.

DeeDee was a very talented painter and loved folk art. She was one of the best cooks ever. Her love of cooking and sharing with others was a blessing to many when they were no longer able to cook for themselves. She was a member of Scott's Creek Baptist Church and enjoyed listening to Holly Springs Baptist Church every Sunday on the radio. DeeDee was strong in her faith and prayed for her loved ones, "the school kids", and our nation daily. She asked that we rejoice at her death because she will be with her Lord and Savior Jesus Christ as well as her loved ones who have already passed.

In addition to her parents and husband, she was preceded in death by her brothers; Hammie, Hugh Robert, Fred, George, her twin, Delos, Clarence and Gene; and her sister, Bonnie Cogdill. After Bonnie passed, DeeDee cared for her daughter, Patricia "Patty" Cogdill until Patty's death in 2022.

Delia is survived by Doc Smith, who she called her "son". Doc's loving care, kindness, dependability, and attention to detail allowed her to remain comfortably at home without worries. Also surviving is her "favorite sister-in-law", Priscilla "Sally" Brown, as well as many nieces and nephews.

As per her wishes there will be a private graveside service at a later date. The family also asks that in lieu of flowers, a donation in her memory be made to Skyland Care Center Activities Department, 193 Asheville Hwy., Sylva, NC 28779. DeeDee loved and appreciated everyone who cared for her during her rehab stay, earlier this year.