Funeral services for Deacon Charles Wesley Staggers, age 81, of 1128 Scuffletown Hwy., Mershon were held Sunday, May 15, 2016 at 3:00 p.m. at First African Baptist Church, Alma.
Pastor Stephon Dean was the pastor, and Bishop L. C. Rogers brought words of comfort. Burial followed in the Rose Hill Cemetery in Alma.
Visitation was scheduled from 6:00 until 8:00 Saturday afternoon.
Deacon Charles Wesley Staggers was born April 8, 1935 in Kingstree, South Carolina to the late Mr. and Mrs. Alton and Catherine Pressley Staggers, Sr. He attended Williamsburg County Public Schools. At an early age he left Kingstree to experience life in Miami, Florida. While living in Miami he developed a passion for the art of grooming dogs. After relocating to Alma, he continued his passion. In the year of 2000 he married Minister Helen Smith as an early birthday gift on April 7. He was employed at Sammy Dixon Ford in Alma until the company closed. He later was employed with Wal-Mart Super Center in Baxley, where he worked for five years until his health began to fail. He attended Union Chapel Baptist Church in Mershon where he served faithfully as chairman of the Deacon Board and the Choir President. Deacon Staggers was also a member of the Alma Male Chorus where they traveled to many towns and cities spreading the gospel through songs. Deacon Staggers was also Vice Chairman of the Annual Christmas Day Service.
Charles W. Staggers separated this life on May 4, 2016 in Vidalia. Other than his parents he was also preceded in death by two brothers: Joe Staggers and Alton Staggers, Jr.; two sisters: Alma Lee Staggers and Alberta Glasco.
He leaves to cherish his wonderful memories are: his loving and devoted wife, Minister Helen Staggers; siblings: Gene Edward, Columbia, SC, Joan (Henry) Starks, West Palm Beach, FL; Deloris Cooper, West Palm Beach, FL; seven brothers-in-laws: Thomas (Christine) Smith, James (Betty) Smith, Kenneth (Christine) Smith, all of Waycross; Louis (Lynette) Smith, Blackshear, Quinton Smith, Huntsville, AL, Calvin Smith, Mershon, Richard Smith, Savannah; two sisters-in-law: Wilta (Eugene) Givings, Waycross, Shirldon McElrory, Blackshear; children: Kenneth Staggers, Kingstree, SC, Ralph Smiley, Fort Lauderdale, FL, Gregory (Omie) Smiley, Dublin, Steve (Sharon) McGriff, Jacksonville, FL, Cedric smith, Welch West, VA, Monica McGriff, St. Marys, Lashona (Jamie) Cooper, Waycross; thirteen grandchildren: Jamia, Tiesha, Charlyona, Michael Wilson, North Carolina, Brian, Daquan, TyLandra, Shirley, Gregory, Jr., Tashia, April, Junior and a host of great grands, nieces, nephews, and many friends whose life he touched greatly.
Rainge Memorial Chapel was in charge of all arrangements.