Sybil Arleen (Godwin) Staggs

Sybil Arleen (Godwin) Staggs entered eternity with her Lord and Savior Jesus Christ on July 4, 2012, in the loving care of Washington Regional Medical Center Hospice in Fayetteville, Ark. She was born on Nov. 29, 1932, in DeQueen, Ark., to Walter and Ella Godwin. Those that have loved her well and still remain here in this present life are her children: daughter, Beverly Staggs Worley and husband, Kevin, of Fayetteville, Ark., and daughter, Lisa Staggs Gaddy of Rogers, Ark.; and nephew, Jeff Staggs of Fayetteville, Ark. Her grandchildren that she adored and prayed for daily, Michael Gaddy and his wife, Amy, of Springdale, Ark., Drew Gaddy, Ashton Worley, Tyler Gaddy and Kolton Worley, all of Fayetteville, Ark.; her sister, Shirley Staggs, her sister and brother-in-law, Tommy and Judy Moore, her sister and brother-in-law, Jay and Peggy Jones, and her brother and sister-in-law, Gailon and Jamie Godwin, all of DeQueen, Ark. She loved, prayed for and adored all of her nieces and nephews, Tracy and Patty Nealy, Jeff and Carla Wahls, Cory Godwin of DeQueen, Ark., Derek and Jessica Ballard of Texarkana, Texas, Brady and Nikki Ballard of Pearcy, Ark., Rick and Melody Halter of Rogers, Ark. All of her cousins were as special to her as her siblings and she looked forward every year to the cousins reunion and all the wonderful times spent together on the Buffalo River and in Branson, Mo. Traveling with cousins and dear friends all over the USA filled many wonderful hours of adventure. Sybil graduated from DeQueen High School, where she was a proud Leopard! One of the great joys of her life was Leopard Reunions to catch back up with schoolmates and friends from childhood. She moved to Dallas after graduation to attend Draughon Business College. On Sept. 2, 1951, she married her sweetheart of now 63 years, Arlie L. Staggs, and began a long life of God-filled adventures, which took them through the Air Force and Letourneau University in Longview, Texas, then Swepco to Shreveport and finally to Fayetteville, Ark., where they made their home for more than 25 years. When they were transferred to Fayetteville, Ark., she worked as an administrative assistant at Bates Elementary for the Fayetteville Public Schools until she retired in 1976. Her greatest rewards came through serving in the church, wherever she was. As a member of First Baptist Church in Lockesburg, Ark., it was one of her greatest joys to lead the Dorcas Sunday School Class and participate in Women's Missionary Union and Tuesday morning prayer group. At Immanuel Baptist Church in Fayetteville, Ark., she led the Cradle Roll department for the nursery ministry and worked with the youth department. When they returned to Fayetteville after some years in contract work, she became a faithful and dedicated member of University Baptist Church, serving alongside her husband in the deacon family ministry. She spent many hours assisting in all the ministries and events for families, greeting families in the children's areas on Sunday mornings and working with the hospitality team. She loved ministering to senior adults and led the Merry Hearts group for two years. She and Arlie were active members of the Fayetteville Senior Center where they both enjoyed some wonderful friendships and activities as well as delivering Meals on Wheels for the past 10 years. She was the Auxiliary president for The Gideons International, helping to distribute Bibles and New Testaments all around the world. Visitation will be held at Beard's Funeral Chapel in Fayetteville, Friday, July 6, 2012, from 6 to 8 p.m. A funeral service will be held 3 p.m. at the First Baptist Church in Lockesburg, Ark., on Sunday, July 8, 2012, with Brother Jack Gilliland officiating. Interment will follow at the Oddfellows Cemetery in Lockesburg. In lieu of flowers, please honor Sybil by donating to Meals on Wheels, c/o Fayetteville Senior Activities and Wellness Center, 945 S. College Ave., Fayetteville, AR 72701 Attention; Sherri Napier; or The Gideons International, P.O. Box 3022, Fayetteville, AR 72702.