Tracy Lyn Collins Stafford

With deep love and gratitude, we celebrate the beautiful life of Tracy Lyn Collins Stafford, who passed away on September 8, 2025, at the age of 54. Born on September 21, 1970, in Baton Rouge, she lived a life marked by compassion, kindness, faith, and excellence in nursing. Tracy brought warmth and light into every room. She will be remembered for her bright smile, infectious laughter, and empathetic heart. Tracy is survived by her beloved daughters, Irelyn and Savanah Stafford; her parents, Sam and Barbara Collins; her twin sister, Stacy Chaffee; her sister, Klacy Howze, and husband, Dennis Howze; her brother, Shane Collins; and her nephews, Ethan Howze McDonald and Giovanni Chaffee, who will continue to carry her love and spirit forward. She was preceded in death by her maternal grandparents, Alvin and Gladys Kinchen; her paternal grandparents, Alex and Carrie Collins; and her former husband, Lynwood Stafford Jr. A proud Registered Nurse, Tracy earned her Bachelor of Science in Nursing in 1995. Her healing hands and caring spirit touched countless lives throughout her career, as she poured her time and energy into helping patients and their families feel comforted, supported, and seen. Guided by her faith, she had a gift for making everyone she encountered feel valued and cared for. Her legacy of compassion will forever live on in the lives she touched. Her extraordinary service was recognized many times, including being a two-time recipient of the prestigious DAISY Award for Extraordinary Nurses, being named among Louisiana’s Top 100 Nurses, and receiving the honor of Nurse of the Year. These awards reflected not only her professional excellence but also the countless quiet, unseen moments when she went above and beyond for those in her care. All are welcome to attend Tracy’s visitation at Christ's Community Church in Denham Springs on Saturday, September 20, 2025, from 10:00 AM until the funeral service begins at 1:00 PM. Burial will follow in Hiram Stafford Cemetery. Services will be conducted by Pastor Ted David Kinchen. Serving as pallbearers will be Shane Collins, Dennis Howze, Giovanni Chaffee, Ethan Howze McDonald, Jacob Arledge, and Greg Aydell, who are honored to carry her to her final resting place. Colleagues, patients, friends, and all whose lives she touched are invited to gather in remembrance of a truly extraordinary woman. Though our hearts ache with her absence, we find comfort in knowing that Tracy’s life was a blessing to all who knew her. She had a beautiful heart and an electric personality. Her light, dedication, and love will never be forgotten. Arrangements have been entrusted to McLin Funeral Home. Online condolences may be shared at www.mclinfuneralhome.com

Tracy Lyn Collins Stafford

September 21, 1970 - September 8, 2025