Frederick Sanford

Frederick Ensley Sanford, known as Papa to his family, was born on August 21, 1930 in Lerty, Westmoreland County, Virginia. With his family by his side, he passed away peacefully at Suburban Hospital, Bethesda, Maryland in the early morning hours of Thursday, December 20, 2018, at the age of 88.

Papa was preceded in death by his wife of 57 years, Helen Jean Scherer Sanford, known to her family as Meme. Papa is survived by his daughter Penny L. Parsons and husband David A.; his daughter Debra S. Grimes and preceded by her husband Jesse J.; survived by his grandchildren Robert Ensley Sanford Parsons, Jillian M. (Parsons) Roelkey and husband Mark A., Jr., Jacob A. Grimes, Joshua W. Grimes, and great grandson Mark A. Roelkey, III. Survived by his sister-in-laws Alice Rovegno and Dorothy Ochoa. Preceded in death by sister-in-law Ruth Careri.

Papa was also preceded in death by his father, Frank Emmett Sanford; his mother, Dicie Myrteen Johnson; his brothers, Emmett W., Welford L. and Calvin W. Sanford and beloved pets Dottie, Kittie and David.

Papa grew up in the family home in Montross, Virginia. He worked on his family's farm from a young age until he moved to Washington D.C. where he worked as a carpenter. As a carpenter, he helped build many establishments including Children's Hospital National Medical Center and the National Gallery of Art East Building both in the District of Columbia as well as the Capital Center arena in Prince George's County, Maryland.

Papa and Meme married in 1959 in the Silver Spring United Methodist Church at "Four Corners" in Silver Spring, Maryland. They initially lived in College Park, then in Colesville and they moved to Damascus, Maryland in December 1981, where they resided until their deaths.

Papa's interests included collecting Cadillacs, Chevy trucks and working on cars. He enjoyed trips to Montross, VA., Orlando, FL., Hanover, PA, and to the old Atlantic City where Meme was raised and where he loved relaxing on the boardwalk benches. He enjoyed cooking, going out to eat, a good cup of coffee and apple pie. He was a frequent guest at the Cracker Barrel in Frederick. He liked to play checkers, read the newspaper and listen to country music including Hank Williams, Patsy Cline, Eddie Arnold, Dollie Parton and Alan Jackson. Papa liked to watch television and his favorite shows included Lawrence Welk, Grand Ole Opry, HeeHaw and Mollie B.'s Polka Party!  He loved tomatoes from his garden and rocking on his front porch. Most of all, he enjoyed being with his family. After Meme's death, he spent one afternoon a week (regardless of the weather) visiting with her, sitting at her graveside at Mt. Olivet Cemetery, many times picnicking there with his children and grandchildren. Papa was loved by his family!

Visitation for Papa is on Friday, December 28, 2018, from 5-7 p.m. at Stauffer Funeral Home, 1621 Opossumtown Pike, Frederick, MD 21702. Funeral Service is on Saturday, December 29, 2018, at 2:30 p.m. at the Frederick Seventh-day Adventist (SDA) Church, 6437 Jefferson Pike, Frederick, MD 21703. Burial gathering follows at Mt. Olivet Cemetery, 515 South Market Street, Frederick, MD 21701.

Expressions of sympathy may be offered to the family at StaufferFuneralHome.com.