BRYANT — Virginia Pauline Staley,
91, of Bryant, went to be with the Lord on January 23, 2020. She was born June 4, 1928, in Little Rock to James Clinton and Pearl Ives Trent. She spent the last few months of her life under the loving care of Kindred Hospice and Pleasant Hill Care Home.
Virginia spent her entire lifetime dedicating herself to her husband, her family, and her Savior. She co-founded Staley Electric Company in 1951 with Royce Edward Staley Sr. She served as the company’s secretary, treasurer, and matriarch from 1951-1977. She was a longtime member of Geyer Springs First Baptist Church and a member of the Early Adult 5 Women’s Sunday School.
Virginia loved to spend her days tending to her home and her family, especially when her family was in her home (and to her, friends were family, too). She was never too busy to spend time with others and was always up for a last-minute lunch, shopping trip, drive to see someone she loved, or errand to help out someone else. You could often find her in the kitchen rearranging cabinets or doing dishes while talking on the phone with a neighbor, friend, or one of her kids or grandkids. She was an exceptional cook and an impeccable hostess, frequently skipping the meal so she could serve more — doting on her guests and making sure their glasses were full and their plate running over. She was often late, but it was because she squeezed as much life into her day as she could. Yet every day began with studying her Bible and praying for her loved ones at the kitchen counter, honing her servant leadership. She never met a stranger, never left anything unsaid, and if it was possible, never left any need unmet.
She was preceded in death by her parents; brothers Raymond C. Trent, Marvin W. Trent, James R. Trent; sister Monnie Lee Trent; husband of 68 years Royce E. Staley Sr; and her son and daughter-in-law, William C. and Debbi Staley.
She is survived by children Ed and Connie Staley of Little Rock and Anita and Rodger Woodall of Bryant; grandchildren Brent and Natalie Staley of Little Rock, Angie and Jordan Johnson of Little Rock, Jenna and John-David Haire of Bryant, Becca and Chuck Owens of Maumelle; and eleven great-grandchildren.
The family would like to thank the staff of Kindred Hospice, Pleasant Hill Care Home, and Evergreen Living Center at Stagecoach for their excellent care since 2014.
Funeral service will be Tuesday, January 28, 2020, at 2 p.m. with visitation prior at 1 p.m, at Geyer Springs First Baptist Church, 12400 I-30 in Little Rock.
In lieu of flowers, the family has asked that you support causes dear to Virginia’s heart: Geyer Springs FBC Music Ministry, 12400 I-30, Little Rock, Ark., 72210; SEARCH Ministries, PO Box 165029, Ft. Worth, Texas 76161, write “Arkansas” in the memo line; and Kindred Hospice Foundation, 3350 Riverwood Parkway, Ste. 1400, Atlanta, Ga., 30339.
Arrangements by Little Rock Funeral Home, (501) 224-2200. Mrs. Staley’s online guestbook may be signed at www.littlerockfuneralhome.com.
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