Ashton Elizabeth Stafford, 23, of Hickory passed away on Monday June 28, 2021 as the result of a motorcycle accident. Ashton was born January 8, 1998 in Catawba County a daughter of Melanie Eckard Stafford. She was a graduate of East Burke High School and employed as a bartender in the Hickory area. She was preceded in death by her grandfather, Terry Eckard. Surviving are her mother, Melanie Eckard Stafford, a daughter, Clarabelle Swanson, siblings, Mattea Eckard and Codey Woodie, grandmother, Connie Eckard, niece Makalyn Ayala, step-parent, Michael Walton, and step-grandparents, Chester and Pamela Cobb. Also surviving is the father of her child, Trenton Swanson, her aunt, Lisa Powell and uncle Terry Eckard, and a host of cousins and friends. A Gathering of Friends will be held at 6:00 P.M. Monday July 5, 2021 at Heritage Funeral Service, Valdese