01/15/2006
Beatrice Mae (Brown) Staley was born on Dec. 31, 1910, in Percy to Willie Brown and Alpha
Joy (Amos) Brown. She was raised in the Knoxville area and graduated from Knoxville
High School with the Class of 1929.
Following high school, she taught rural school
for two years. On May 19, 1931, she married Beryl Staley. They first lived in the
Dunreath area before moving to Des Moines in 1945.
Beatrice worked for S.S. Kresge
in Des Moines in shipping and receiving for 25 years before retiring. In 1959, the
couple moved to Long Beach, Calif. They returned to Knoxville in 1976. Beryl and
Beatrice moved to Leighton in 1990, after Connie and Norm Sneller opened their home
to the couple.
Beryl died in 1998, and for the last few years Beatrice has resided
at West Ridge Nursing & Rehabilitation Center. Beatrice enjoyed music and playing
the piano. Her greatest joy was spending time with her family and friends, especially
her nieces and nephews. She was a member of the Community of Christ Church for 84
years.
Beatrice died on Jan. 15, 2006, at the Knoxville Area Community Hospital
at the age of 95. She was preceded in death by her parents and her husband, Beryl.
Survivors include her sister, Loretta Bumgardner and husband Dale of Leighton and
many nieces, nephews, other family members and friends.
Funeral services were held
on Jan. 18 at Bybee and Davis Funeral Home with Elder Bill McDonald officiating.
Interment was in Dunreath Cemetery in Marion County.
Memorials may be made to the
Oskaloosa Community of Christ Church.