Madeline F. Staggers

Madeline F. Staggers, age 99, died on October 7th, 2026 in Sandy Springs, GA. Born in Birmingham, AL in 1927 to Dominic Farris and Anner Allison, Madeline married James Staggers and the couple had 2 boys: Chris and Rusty.

As a child of Italian immigrants, Madeline learned self-sufficiency early on, and it served her well as she crafted a very respectable career in the Department of Defense, where she worked for 40 years as a Transportation Specialist for the Army, the Army Reserve, the Air Force, and the Georgia National Guard. Her work ethic was legendary: even in deep snow, she rode the train and the bus to the office every single weekday, and absorbed many of the tenets of the military: early was on-time, and on-time was late. Madeline earned multiple achievement awards in her career, and she was much beloved by all who had the pleasure of working with her. When she finally had to retire, the flag over the Georgia Capitol fluttered at half-mast in her honor.

During her life, she became something of a Renaissance woman. She enjoyed acting in local theater, singing in the choir and performing several cantatas, and even tried her hand at fashion modeling. Nothing could light her up like the music of Tony Bennett, Sammy Davis Jr., Bobby Darin, and the incomparable Frank Sinatra, who she was privileged to experience in concert “when he was just a skinny kid from Hoboken, New Jersey.”

When she wasn’t enjoying their musical stylings, she could be found at the cinema, where seeing Sean Connery as James Bond was an immense treat; “Goldfinger” remained her all-time favorite movie throughout her life. Did I mention she was a rabid Red Sox fan, and at one point she lived within walking distance of Fenway Park? Were you ever lucky enough to see Clark Gable and Marilyn Monroe at a World Series Yankees game? Madeline was.

She was also lucky enough to lay eyes on the Hope Diamond in New York City at the famed Tiffany & Co. No, she did not star in "Breakfast at Tiffany's,” but who knows? She could have been an extra in the background.

Always willing to share a smile and have a laugh, Madeline had a huge impact on all who knew her.

Madeline adored pets, especially cats. Her beloved kitty Nana will live out her life with Chris and his family, undoubtedly providing the kind of uncomplicated solace pets are so great at giving us. A true force of nature, Madeline will be very much missed.

A Funeral will be held at H.M. Patterson & Son-Arlington Chapel, 173 Allen Road NE, Sandy Springs, GA 30328, on October 15, 2026, at 11:00 am. It will be followed by a Committal Service at North Atlanta Memorial Park, 5188 Winters Chapel Rd, Dunwoody, GA 30360.