Sandra was known to most everyone as “MiMi.” She waved to neighbors as she picked up the fallen Magnolia leaves (like she did every morning,) from the 100 year old family tree her Father planted in her yard. She went inside, took a shower, and the Family believes, she worked quietly with Jesus, and she “Surprised her youngest daughter Leslie, for her 68th Birthday!” This was the day MiMi moved to Heaven.
A ‘Celebration of Life’ Service will be held on Sunday, October 9th, 2022, at 2:pm in The First United Methodist Church Sanctuary, Rev. Bill Coleman, officiating, and working with Arvin Starrett and Fry-Gibbs Funeral Home. There will be no Interment.
Jerry was killed in a blizzard in December of 1967. Sandra’s Mother, Esther Shannon-Staples preceded her in death in 1968. She never wavered from being a strong, self-sufficient, single, working mother and later, taking care of her elderly father until he passed away in 1996.
Sandra had a beautiful area of Collections Cats, ‘Willow Tree’ Figurines, Angels, and especially her Frogs! She said they reaffirmed her Mantra ~F.R.O.G.~ ‘Fully Relying On God!’
She was a former Sunday School teacher, and co-sponsor of the “United Methodist Youth Fellowship”; a former member of the “Commission on Education”; a member of the “Women’s Society of Christian Service,” and served as a member of the “Commission on Missions.”
The “Business and Professional Women” and the “Beta Sigma Phi Sororities”, where she spent her life devoted to Service to these Organizations!
Jerry was 32nd Degree Master Mason. And while Sandra’s Father and Grandfather were also Masons, the women did not have “The Order of The Eastern Star” Program available to them~at the time. Both Jerian, and PPP Leslie were introduced to “The Order of The Rainbow,” (daughters of Masons) and Jerian Served as a “Worthy Advisor” of the Paris Lodge. Leslie followed in her footsteps, serving as a “Worthy Advisor” herself. Jerian has continued studies in “The Order of The Eastern Star” as have all 3 of her daughters. Rick and Danny are also both Masons.
Sandra, working full-time as “The Women’s Editor of The Paris News,” where she was Nationally Known for her Professional Writings on Weddings and other pieces on Paris’ Society Pages, and News for Women, was where Sandra received many accolades as her daughters grew up.
She was a Guest Speaker for numerous service clubs for men, women, and students. She also spent a great deal of time presiding over and leading the women of Paris and surrounding cities as either Founder, Preceptor, President, or Head of The Board of Directors in her many Community and Civil Service Clubs, Chapters, and Organizations such as Business & Professional Women’s Club, Lamar County Historical Society, BSP-Xi Beta Omicron, BSP-ETA Delta, BSP-Zeta Mu Chapters, the Heritage Garden Club, Crepe Myrtle for Paris, Paris Council of Garden Clubs, Texas Garden Club, inc., Texas Press Women, East Paris Aiken Elementary and Crockett Jr. High School Volunteer Clubs, a Girl Scout Troop Leader, Paris and Lamar County Jaycee-Ettes. and PHS ALUMS. Sandra was involved with the United Fund, March of Dimes, Cancer Crusade, Heart Fund, Easter Seal Foundation, ‘Dolls for Darlings’, Lamar County Chapter of Commerce ‘Operation Sparkle’ Planning Committee, Texas Salvation Army, Lamar County 4-H Club, and Paris and Lamar County Young Women’s Christian Association.
W.W. Staples was a Founding Family of Paris, in Lamar County. They owned and operated STAPLES JEWELERS from ‘The Square’ in 1906.
Sandra’s Father ‘Bob’ Staples Sr., was one of three Paris High School boys who had the Honor of Naming “The Team” that they played football for underneath The Friday Night Lights! This Year, 2022, is The 100th Football Season that the boys of Paris High School Proudly take to the field as the Team Mr. Bob Staples Sr. called “The Fighting Wildcats!” One of those three boys, was also Orby Brooks, who later married Bob’s little sister, Katherine. Clyde Antoine married his sister Ruth, and Mary was wed to Iris Burroughs.
It was Sandra’s Grandfather, W.W. Staples, a Jeweler/Watch-maker, who was also the Original Conductor of The Paris Symphony Orchestra, and in the Spring, they played Symphonies in J.J. Culbertson’s Park! It was the beginning of the Paris Summer Symphony Series. It was Floyd Weger who later took over as the PHS Musical Director, and Conducted the Summer Symphony Series. Later, children became The ‘Paris Blue Blazes Band.”
Sandra spent several years as the Coordinator of Campus Housing for Paris Jr. College. She also married and divorced Jim Christian. He too, proceeded her in death.
