Patricia Staples

Patricia Ann Hillyer Staples passed away Thursday, January 12, 2017 in Winston- Salem, NC. She was born July 28, 1929 in Uhrichsville, Ohio and was the daughter of Ruth McCollough Hillyer and Paul Stocksdale Hillyer.

Mrs. Staples graduated from St Luke’s School of Nursing in Cleveland, Ohio in 1950 as a registered nurse. She then worked at St. Luke’s Hospital where she served as Head Nurse in the General Medicine division. Here she met her beloved husband of 41 years, Ted Carlton Staples, MD. They married in 1956 and immediately moved to England where Dr. Staples served as a physician in the United States Air Force and Mrs. Staples as a private duty nurse.

Upon returning to the United States in 1959, they made their home in Charlottesville then Richmond before settling in Ashland, Virginia in 1961 where Mrs. Staples remained until her death. She was an active member of Duncan Memorial United Methodist Church as well as the Ashland Woman’s Club and the Ashland Garden Club. For many years, she volunteered for the American Red Cross, Meals on Wheels, and in the gift shop at Bon Secours Memorial Hospital. In addition to spending time with her family and friends, Mrs. Staples enjoyed playing bridge, gardening, cooking, and reading.

Mrs. Staples was preceded in death by her parents, her husband, and a brother, Donald Paul Hillyer, who served in the US Navy and died during the USS Bennington explosion in 1954. Surviving are her children and their spouses Donald and Catherine Staples of Mechanicsville, VA , Howard and Cathy Staples of Trinity, NC, and Kimberly and Greg Hundley of Winston-Salem, NC as well as her seven very special grandchildren Paul Staples, Stephanie Staples, Brian Staples, Chad Staples, Anna Hundley, Jennifer Hundley, and Will Hundley.

Mrs. Staples was dearly loved by her family, friends, and community who will miss her genuine kindness and concern for others as well as her fun and outgoing spirit.

Family will receive friends on Saturday, January 28th from 12 noon until 2pm in the colonnade of Duncan Memorial Methodist Church in Ashland. Services and burial will be private. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Duncan Memorial United Methodist Church 201 Henry Street, Ashland, VA 23005.