J. IRA SANFORDS CELEBRATE 50TH ANNIVERSARY
Four generations participated in celebrating the golden wedding anniversary of Mr. and Mrs. J. Ira Sanford last Sunday at their home north of here. An open house was held from 2 until 5 p.m. at the Sanford home.
The local couple, both associated with the early history of Dallas County, were married at Trenton, Fannin County, on Dec. 22, 1901. They moved to Carrollton two months later.
Mrs. Sanford is the former Miss Jennie May Neely, daughter of the late Mr. and Mrs. Gideon P. Neely, early settlers of Dallas County. Both Mr. and Mrs. Sanford are natives of Tennessee and are direct descendants of the Stone family.
In 1910 they moved to the Trinity Mills community where Mr.. Sanford was associated with a gravel company for many years before his retirement.
The Sanfords have five children, all of whom were present for the celebration. They are Mrs. A. L. Cunningham, Mrs. Robert McCarter, Mrs. R. P. (Buddy) Manning, Mrs. G. G. Center, and G. W. Sanford, all of Carrollton.
Their six grandchildren were also in the house party. They are Capt. C. B. Smith, Jr., of Oceanside, Calif., Mrs. Ray Clark of Mount Pleasant; Mrs. Bryan Jones, Alman Carloy, Lenwood Cunningham, and Sandy Sanford, all of Carrollton. Their seven great-grandchildren also took part.

Submitted by Edward Lynn Williams

J. Ira Sanford
CARROLLTON, Texas - Funeral services for J. Ira Sanford, 85, of 1600 Whitlock, a retired gravel salesman, will be held at 10:30 a.m. Wednesday in the Rhoton, Weiland-Merritt Funeral Chapel. Burial will be in Perry Cemetery.
A Carrollton resident for 63 years, Mr. Sanford died Monday in Grapevine.
Survivors; wife; a son, G. W. Sanford of Carrollton; four daughters, Mrs. Mattie Cunningham, Mrs. Fronia McCarter, Mrs. Rachael Manning and Mrs. Catherine Center of Carrollton; a brother, J. N. Sanford of Murfressboro, Tenn., seven grandchildren and 13 great-grandchildren.

The Dallas Morning News - February 23, 1966
Submitted by Edward Lynn Williams