Velma Staples

Velma StaplesAs the sun set on April 23, 2016, Velma Staples ascended into the presence of the Lord at the age of 92. Velma lived a wonderful life.  Born August 15, 1923 near Brookhaven, MS, she moved to Louisiana as a young child, growing up in Collinston and Ruston.  A 1941 graduate of Ruston High School, she met her husband, Charley Sitman Staples, also a graduate of Ruston High.  She enrolled at Louisiana Tech University, and the following semester, the two were married in 1942.  Her academics were interrupted by World War II when the young couple served their country at Harmon General Hospital in Longview, TX, where she was asked to play in the Army Band.  After the war, she moved to Baton Rouge, LA where she worked at LSU's University College, the portal entry for most incoming freshman.  A devoted wife, she served as a member of the Women's Auxiliary for Louisiana and National Association of Soil and Water Conservation Districts, serving as hostess for state and national conventions. Like many of her generation, she was a dutiful mother, raising three boys while displaying tireless energy as "Den Mother" "Class Mom", etc.  Upon retirement, she developed a network of close friends and enjoyed traveling with her husband, to visit children and grandchildren as well as participating in new adventures.  She was a founding member of Jefferson United Methodist Church of Baton Rouge, LA and served the church in numerous capacities, including nurturing members and others in nursing homes, hospitals, etc.  She was preceded in death by her husband, Charley S. Staples; son, Charley S. Staples, Jr.; and, grandson, Bruce Johnson.  She is survived by a son and daughter in-law, Michael R. and Janet Staples; a son and daughter in-law Jeffrey S. and Susan Staples; and grandchildren Michael D. Staples, Bradley S. Staples, Jennifer A. Cross and Jeremy L. Cross, along with great grandchildren.  A graveside service will be held at Resthaven Gardens of Memory on Friday, April 29 at 10:30 AM.  Pall bearers will be Michael D. Staples, Bradley Staples, Jennifer Cross and Jeremy Cross.  In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Velma and Charley Staples scholarship fund at the LSUA Foundation, P.O. Box 5512, Alexandria, LA  71303; the American Heart Association or a charity of choice.  The family would like to thank Jeradine Hampton for her care and assistance during the last months. "To everything there is a season, a time for every purpose under heaven: a time to be born, a time to die"¦He has made everything beautiful in its time." Ecclesiastes 3: 1-2, 11.