Cynthia Ann Stanford

Cynthia Ann Stanford,62, of Belton known to most as Cindy and to the fish  "The One That Got Away," Cindy cast her final line into the celestial waters on January 26, 2026. Born on October 14, 1963, in Denver City, Texas, Cindy's zest for life was as big as her home state, and her heart, as warm as its sunsets.

Services will be held at 2:00 P.M. on Saturday February 7, 2026 at Crotty Funeral Home in Belton.

Visitation will be held on Friday February 6, 2026 from 5:00P.M. until 7:00P.M. at the funeral home.

 She departed from Temple, Texas, not on a fishing trip, but on a journey to the great beyond, due to an unexpected car accident. Cindy's life was a vibrant tapestry woven with the threads of love, laughter, and the occasional fish tale. A licensed nurse for over 30 years, she tended to the sick and soothed the ailing across multiple hospitals, nursing homes, and medical facilities with a smile that could light up the darkest of rooms. Her dedication to the well-being of others was as steadfast as her belief in the Good Book, for her faith was the compass that guided her through life's storms.

Survived by a school of loved ones, Cindy leaves behind her son, Brandon Stanford and fiancé Monica and family, her daughter, Victoria "Vee" Stanford, and her adorable guppies, grandchildren Mya Gomez and Easton Stanford. Her sister, Mary McNutt, and brother, Cody Amador, along with his spouse, Shatona, and stepfather, Ruben Amador, Uncle Catarino Albarez Jr. and her cousins will miss her deeply. Not to forget Rosie Stanford, her sister-in-law, and her lifelong fishing buddies and fellow jesters, Rita Lavette and Rhonda Prince. 

Cindy's interests were as diverse as the ecosystems she fished in. She was a fisherwoman extraordinaire, perpetually prepping for that next big catch. If she wasn't fishing, she was planning to go, thinking about it, or watching videos to up her angling game. Her love for critters knew no bounds, and it was not uncommon to find Cindy surrounded by a menagerie of pets, each with its own backstory and unique name.

With her nursing knowledge and an ever-present desire to heal, Cindy was an aspiring vet, always ready to lend a hand or a paw to animals in need. Her home was a sanctuary for the furry, the feathered, and the scaled. And let's not forget her prowess on the pool table; Cindy could shoot some mean pool. In 2023, she even chalked her cue for a trip to Las Vegas with her APA league, proving that whether it was the cue ball or a fish hook, she knew exactly where to aim.

Cindy's legacy is not just in the lives she touched or the fish she caught, but in the laughter she left in her wake. She was the person who could find humor in the mundane and turn a simple fishing trip into an epic adventure. Her tales were as likely to be about the one that got away as the one that ended up in the cooler, and her laughter was as infectious as her enthusiasm for life. 

As we bid farewell to Cindy, we imagine her in Heaven, regaling the angels with stories of Texas-sized catfish and the time she almost caught a mermaid. Her spirit, as lively as a bass on the line, will continue to inspire us to cast wide, laugh often, and care deeply.

Cindy Ann Stanford, you were the catch of a lifetime, and you will be dearly missed. Now, go on and catch that heavenly grand slam. We know you've got the best fishing spot picked out already.

In Lieu of flowers family request donations be made toward funeral expenses. 

Burial will be at Hillcrest Cemetery in Temple on Saturday February 7, 2026 following services.

Crotty Funeral Home of Belton is in charge of arrangements.