Brian Styles Stanford

Brian Styles Stanford, age 66, of Suches, passed away Tuesday, August 31, 2021, at Fannin Regional Hospital after a brief battle with COVID-19.

Brian was born April 1, 1955, in Carrollton, Georgia, to Helon Gyrlene Styles and the late William Manley Stanford. He was a member of Faith Presbyterian Church but found great enjoyment in revisiting his Baptist roots at Coopers Creek Baptist Church during his retirement years.

Brian traveled to the Coopers Creek area since early adulthood to pursue his love of fishing. He also loved to camp and backpack and hike the Appalachian Mountains with family and friends. Brian had a servant’s heart and spent countless hours and years donating his time, experience and passion to the Boy Scouts of America, where he assisted on the National Training Staff of Adult Leaders.

Other community involvement included the Jaycees, Trout Unlimited, the Good Samaritan Labor Day BBQ, Chairman of the Fannin County Republican Party and any other community he felt led to engage in. Nothing made him happier than cooking barbecue for friends and strangers alike. He competed as a cook in the Kansas City Barbecue Society competitions that spanned the Southeast.

He worked for the Fannin County Probation Office, later retiring in September of 2019 from the Appalachian Judicial Circuit where he served as Chief of Staff for the District Attorney’s office under the leadership of District Attorney Alison Sosebee.

In 2006, Brian and his wife, June, moved from Winston, Georgia, to pursue pre-retirement careers in the place of peace and beauty that had previously attracted Brian during his youth. When asked where he was from, he would say that he was from Douglas County, Georgia, but got here as fast as he could. He loved his family, the outdoors, his garden and RV travels during his retirement. People were attracted to Brian for his wit and wise counsel, his sense of fairness, his generosity and his ability to bring people together and highlight their individual value. Even though he only had three children, he mentored many who thought of him as a father figure.

He is survived by his devoted wife of 34 years, June; mother, Helon Styles; brother, William Dennis (Terri) Stanford; sister, Jaen Elizabeth (Mike) Caldwell; sister, Melissa (Chris) Mulvey; daughters, Andrea Louise Snider and Heather (Jim) Stanford Florek; son, Ryan Grady (Heather) Bray; grandchildren, John Ryan Alfred Bray, Grady Robert Arthur Bray and Ava Alexis Florek; and nieces and nephews.

Keeping public health in mind, a memorial service will be announced at a later date.

Arrangements were handled by Henry-Cochran Funeral Home of Blue Ridge.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that any donations be made by contacting the Tunnels to Towers Foundation at 718-987-1931 to honor Brian.

To send condolences to the family and sign the guest register visit www.cochranfuneralhomes.com.