Aleta Loftis Staggs' Obituary
Aleta Loftis Staggs
Aleta Loraine Loftis Staggs, age 100, passed into the arms of Jesus May 24, 2017 surrounded by family at her daughter’s home in Longview, Texas.
Born on the farm in Comanche, TX, January 1, 1917 to J. A. “Jim” Loftis, Sr. and Ola Mae Voss Loftis, Aleta completed her ninth grade year then quit school to help raise her siblings.
Aleta married Melvin Thurman Staggs on August 27, 1939 in Tarrant County, TX. They made their home in Marshall, TX, where she and Melvin owned and operated several grocery stores through the years, retiring in 1977 when they sold the Min-A-Pak.
Aleta was a long standing member of First Presbyterian Church in Marshall where she served in the Women of the Church and later served as a deacon and elder. She was always the planner, doer and loved serving others.
She was a good neighbor and friend to many. Afternoons often found her having coffee with neighbors. She also was a fantastic cook and loved her flowers.
‘Leta, as many affectionately called her, remained in Marshall until 2012 when she moved to Longview to be closer to her daughter.
If you knew ‘Leta, you were blessed. She was a stranger to none. And if you really knew her, you know many of her sentences began “And that…”
She not only taught her family how to live, but also how to love. She taught unconditional love by her actions and words, accepting each person for who they were and loving them as they are.
Those left to honor Aleta and remember her love are her daughters Linda Staggs Spain and husband James of Franklin, TX, and Emma Kay Staggs and partner Susan Lee Tanner of Longview, TX; grandsons John Arnold of Bossier City, La, and Hank Deuson and husband Danny of Longview, TX; granddaughters Jennifer Arnold Crawford and husband Karl of Tyler, TX, and Mandy Kay Robinson Powers and husband Zach of Rusk, TX and their “little girls” great-granddaughters Lexie Kay Powers, Kylie Klaire Powers and Zoe Kate Powers; and great-grandson Kyle McCauley as well as other relatives and friends.
She was preceded in death by her parents, husband Melvin, all her siblings Dick Loftis, Jerry Loftis and wife Patty, Jim Loftis and wife Janette, Joe Loftis and wife Jerri, Lena Mae Loftis Bennett and husband William, and Louise Loftis LaNier and husband Charles.
A Celebration of Life will be held in the Chapel of Rader Funeral Home in Longview, TX, at 2:00pm Saturday, May 27, 2017.
What’s your fondest memory of Aleta?
What’s a lesson you learned from Aleta?
Share a story where Aleta's kindness touched your heart.
Describe a day with Aleta you’ll never forget.
How did Aleta make you smile?