Obituaries – Their Stories Live On

The matriarch of the Staples family and the Mother of Mount Zion Baptist Church, Beckley, West Virginia was called home on Monday, November 30, 2015. God in his infinite wisdom picked one of his most beautiful roses from this garden of life. Aunt Virgie or Granny, as she was affectionately known, touched numerous lives and served as a role model for hundreds of young women.

Virgie Staples was born September 26, 1924 in Nuttall, West Virginia. She was one of three (3) children born to the marital union of Ivian and Lilly Belle Jones.

She attended Byrd-Prillerman High School in Amigo, Raleigh County, West Virginia.

On April 7, 1940, Virgie A. Jones was joined in holy matrimony with Nelson B. Staples, Jr. Five children were born of this union: Marva Anthony, Samantha Banks, Rev. Nelson (Karen) Staples, III, Attorney Dwight J. (Gail) Staples and Dr. Jerry R. (Cassandra) Staples.

She served tirelessly in numerous roles and was the First Lady of First Baptist Church of Lillybrook, Elizabeth Baptist Church of McAlpine, First Baptist Church of Mullens, First Baptist Church of Greentown and Mt. Zion Baptist Church of Beckley, West Virginia. She served as First Lady of the Mt. Zion Baptist Church for forty (40) years.

Her contribution to our Church and to our Community has been invaluable and her life example was exemplary.

She was preceded in death by her father, Ivian Jones and her mother, Lillie Belle Jones. She was also preceded in death by her two (2) brothers, Ivian Jones and William Jones.

Left to cherish her precious memories are her five children; two sisters-in-law, Marie Williams and Pauline Staples, both of Beckley, West Virginia; seventeen (17) grandchildren and a host of great-grandchildren, one great-great grandchild, nieces, nephews, relatives, and friends.

Funeral service will be 1:00PM Saturday, December 5, 2015 at Mt. Zion Baptist Church 142 Mool Ave., Beckley with Rev. Nelson B. Staples III and Dr. Jerry R. Staples officiating. Burial will follow in Greenwood Memorial Park, Beckley. Friends may call from 6:00-8:00PM Friday, December 4, 2015 and one hour prior to the service at the church.

Condolences may be emailed to ritchie-johnson@suddenlinkmail.com

Arrangements entrusted to Ritchie & Johnson Funeral Parlor, Beckley, WV.