Honeybee Stafford Character Analysis in Before We Were Yours

Wells Stafford’s wife and Avery Stafford’s mother. Honeybee’s real name is never shared; Wells gave her the nickname early in their relationship and it is what their grandchildren call her. Honey has a perfectionist personality and struggles with not being in control of situations, which is why she insists on having the family Christmas picture taken in July while Wells (who has cancer) still has all of his hair. Honeybee also tries to take control of Avery’s wedding plans, but ultimately fails—Avery breaks up with her fiancé, Elliot, in favor of beginning a relationship with Trent Turner III. Of all the Staffords, Honeybee has the hardest time accepting the truth about Judy Stafford’s biological family and secret relationship with three of her biological sisters. Still, she has total respect for Wells’s judgment and supports his decision to make sure that Judy and her remaining sister, Rill Foss (known as May Weathers Crandall) can spend as much time together as possible in the final years of their lives.

Honeybee Stafford Character Timeline in Before We Were Yours

The timeline below shows where the character Honeybee Stafford appears in Before We Were Yours. The colored dots and icons indicate which themes are associated with that appearance.

Injustice and Class Divisions Theme Icon

Avery’s mother calls to her to come downstairs, which makes Elliot chuckle on the phone. This comforts... (full context)

Avery’s niece, Courtney, bounds in to tell her Honeybee (Avery’s mom) is tired of waiting for Avery to come down. Avery jokingly messes with... (full context)

Avery calls Honeybee, who wants to know if Avery can stop at the house and make an appearance... (full context)

...like before it was converted into a nursing home. In fact, Magnolia Manor is where Honeybee first set eyes on Wells Stafford and decided to pursue him, thus uniting two powerful... (full context)

Avery asks Honeybee again if the name May Crandall is familiar. Avery explains that May was the woman... (full context)

...family when they get back home so that she can go see May Crandall again. Honeybee thinks Avery wants to talk to Elliot to settle wedding plans and tells her that... (full context)

...a few hours. Avery sees her parents pull up and quickly leads him away before Honeybee can drag them into a conversation about wedding plans. Elliot suggests they take a walk... (full context)

...settle on any plans before Elliot has to catch his flight. When Avery gets home, Honeybee is upset that Elliot couldn’t stay to talk to her. Honeybee says she’s worried that... (full context)

Child Trafficking, Heritage, and Rewriting History Theme Icon

...because she’s not dressed up, but Trent persuades her to go into the cottage before Honeybee sees her. As soon as Honeybee gets out of the car, she demands to know... (full context)

Honeybee again asks Avery to explain why she wanted them to bring Judy out to the... (full context)

Avery tells Honeybee and Wells about Judy and May’s history. Although Honeybee tries to question the story’s plausibility,... (full context)