Thomas Singleton Stradford, Jr.

Thomas "Tony" Stradford was born in Boykin, SC to Deacon Thomas Stradford and the late Henrietta Elm  and  reared  by  his  loving  grandparents,  the  late  Helen  and  Singleton  Stradford  (better  known  as Cricket and Doot) and his beloved Aunt Williemae (Nook) in a loving home environment.

Papa, Big Papa, as he was affectionately known, was a loving child always full of life.  He brought so much joy to his family and friends.  He was raised in a Christian surrounding and grew up in Broom Hill Baptist Church where he received his early Christian education, which built his faith and belief in God.  

Tony  was  educated  in  the  Kershaw  County  School  District  from  preschool  through  graduation  from Camden  High  School.    He  was  blessed  with  many  gifts  and  talents.  He  enjoyed  cooking  and  was  a great chef.  He liked fishing, playing video games and he was an excellent DJ.  When it came to making music and beats, he even made his own  studio in his back yard where he trained  many others in the field and therefore gained the name, "Big Papa."  

Tony had several jobs throughout his life, but FN Manufacturing and Mill Pond Store were his favorites by far.  He had a way with people.  Tony was a people person; he presented himself friendly, so he entertained many friends--keeping everyone laughing as he joked with them--especially his three special ladies, his first cousins:  Yolanda, Andrea, and Vicker, which were more like his little sisters.  

Tony  was  preceded  in  death  by  his  mother,  Henrietta  S.  Elm;  his  grandparents,  Helen  and  Singleton Stradford; and Richie and Samuel Nelson; and his uncle, Richard Harold Nelson.  

Those left to cherish his memories are his  beloved  son,  Sintiono  Paul  Stradford;  his  beautiful  daughter,  Nytianna  Glover; his  precious god-children, Quinterra Lawson and Jerrel Hunter; his father, Deacon Thomas Stradford; his grandfather, John Henry Nelson of San Diego, CA; his sisters, Alice Elm and Walisha Patterson; his brothers, James Andre Lawson and Donald "DJ" Elm; his aunts, Mae (Everett) Henson, of Bowie, MD; Rose (Michael)Baker of Copperas Cove, TX; his special aunt, Williemae (John) Austin of Columbia, SC, who  raised  him  as  her  own;  Delores  (Dick)  Nelson  of  Lugoff,  SC,  Rev.  Millie  (Dr.  James)  Smith  of Camden, SC; one uncle;, Samuel (Lessie) Nelson of Jacksonville, FL; the mother of his children and life-long  friend,  Donya  Glover;  a  special  cousin  and  his  right-hand  man,  Tajadean  Sanders;  a  helpful and loyal friend, Ivory Dennis; great aunts, Estelle Jean Moses, Marie Smith, and Bernice Walker and a host of other family, relatives, and friends.

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