Willie Mae Staples

Obituary For Willie Mae Staples

Willie Mae Schoolfield Staples completed her life's journey of 99 years on Saturday, August 15, 2026. God received her spirit into His precious resting place. She was born on October 14, 1926, in Henry County, Virginia to the late Willie Value Schoolfield and Sarah Goins Schoolfield.

She attended Preston Ridge Grade School and Meadow Grade School. When she was an adolescent, her brothers and sisters nicknamed her “Rabbit.” At the age of 18, she worked as a sewing operator for The Jobbers Pants Company in Martinsville, VA. On August 11, 1945, she married Solomon Staples and to this union, six children were born. She was baptized in 1935 and became a member of Meadow Christian Church in Martinsville, VA where she served faithfully. She served in several capacities including Junior and Primary class Sunday School teacher, Christian Women Fellowship (CWF) President, CWF Treasurer, Senior Choir Chaplain, Church Treasurer, prayer service member, Adult Sunday school member and Bible class member. For years, she prepared the Holy Communion for Sunday services, and she was a delegate at the Piedmont District Church Convention. She actively supported her children in their ministries. She also loved going out with the local hymn singers, participating in street services and lifting the spirits of others through song. Her hobbies included tending to flowers, gardening, sewing, walking, sightseeing, and cooking.

Willie Mae was preceded in death by her husband, Solomon Staples; one daughter, Sylvia Loretta Staples; one grandchild De’Undra Oilver, three brothers, Sam Henry Schoolfiled, John Jack Schoofield and Roy Schoofield; five sisters, Alvertia Hairston, Gracie Coombs, Inell Smith, Thelma Easter and Adzonia Claybrooks.

She leaves to cherish her memories: two sons, Minister Andrew Staples and Kenneth Staples (Joyce); three daughters, Evangelist Fannie Mae Martin (James), Elder Patsy Oliver (Maynard), and Evangelist Sarah Taylor all of Martinsville, VA; 15 grandchildren; 15 great grandchildren and a host of nieces, nephews, relatives, and friends.

A visitation service will be held on Wednesday, August 19, 2026, at 11:30 with the funeral service at 12 noon at the C.R.V. Memorial Chapel at Hairston Funeral Home, 301 Fayette St., Martinsville with Pastor Kenneth Hooker, Eulogist. Interment will follow at Meadow Christian Church Cemetery, 1140 Meadowood Trail, Martinsville, VA

The family will receive friends at Hairston Funeral Home on Tuesday, August 18, 2026, between the hours of 1 p.m. until 5 p.m. Other times, the family will receive friends at the residence, 60 Atlas Dr., Martinsville. Live streaming of the funeral service will be available at Hairston Funeral Home live via Facebook.

Courteous, efficient and dependable services provided by Hairston Funeral Home.

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