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Mary Staats Obituary

Mary Charlene Whitstine Staats, age 78 of Crestwood, died July 13, 2017. She lived at Clarity Pointe Louisville for the past eight months as an Alzheimer's patient.
She raised their two sons, was an active PTA volunteer and president and enjoyed a career in banking in her early married years. As was common at the time, she supported her husband's eventual four decades-long career as a reporter, editor and administrator for The Associated Press.
Charlene is survived by her younger son, Sheldon Everett Staats (Cherie) of Shrewsbury, Massachusetts and formerly of Anchorage, Kentucky, and her husband for 56 years, Howard Edgar (Ed) Staats of Parkersburg, West Virginia. She also leaves six grandchildren and one great-grandson – Jesse Lyle Staats, Lili Skye Staats, Kyle Stuart Miller, Ian Alexander Miller, Cullen Reese Staats, Ainslie Jewell Staats and Lili's son, Barrett Walter Meinberger. Preceding her in death were her parents, Vardell Everett and Floy Jones Whitstine of Corpus Christi, Texas, and her elder son, Jeffrey Lyle Staats (Miranda) of Marin County, California.
Charlene was born in the town of Kenedy in South Texas, where her father was an oil-field drilling superintendent, and later lived in Corpus Christi where she was graduated from W.B. Ray High School. She attended The University of Texas at Austin and earned a bachelor of science degree. The university is where she and Ed met and where she was a member of Delta Zeta sorority.
After following her husband's career to nine AP bureaus and corporate headquarters in New York, Charlene and Ed settled into Louisville in the mid-1980s. Soon thereafter, Charlene rediscovered her love of singing and joined the Pride of Kentucky Chorus. She sang with the internationally award-winning a cappella, four-part barbershop harmony chorus for more than 30 years. During that time she served several terms as chorus president and for three years administratively oversaw the four-state region of Sweet Adelines International of which her chorus was a part. She was honored upon her retirement from the chorus with a lifetime chapter membership.
After her husband's retirement, the couple traveled abroad on adventuresome trips to mostly emerging countries, including Egypt, Jordan, Tibet, China, Zimbabwe and Albania, among others. But their favorite vacation destination turned out to be the Hawaiian Islands and especially Kauai, which they visited more than a dozen times. They were members of Trinity Presbyterian Church in Middletown for 15 years before moving to Oldham County where they have been worshiping at Pewee Valley Presbyterian Church for 17 years. Charlene enjoyed singing in the choir at both churches and served as an elder at Trinity.
The family wishes to thank the caring and professional staff at Clarity Pointe. During much of 2016 she received excellent care at home by Family Tree Care Services and her final days were made easier by the amazing staff from Hosparus. Contributions in memory of Charlene are suggested for Pewee Valley Presbyterian Church, P.O. Box 365, Pewee Valley KY 40056, or Pride of Kentucky Chorus, c/o The Clifton Center, 2117 Payne St., Louisville KY 40206 A memorial service was held at Pewee Valley Presbyterian on July 16, 2017.
Cremation was chosen. Arrangements were under the direction of Rattermans Funeral Home, 12900 Shelbyville Rd., East Louisville.

Published by The Oldham Era from Jul. 20 to Jul. 27, 2017.
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Memories and Condolences
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I just learned the news about your wife's passing and I'm so sorry for your loss, Ed. Please accept my heartfelt condolences.

Jim Prichard

July 28, 2017

Charlene was a bright and happy girl. The world is a better, more beautiful place because she has been her.

Judy Allen

Friend

July 15, 2017

Charlene and I were friends from "way back when".
My dad and hers were both in the oil business in Corpus Christi and we attended high school and college together. We were also sorority sisters in Alpha Tau Chapter of Delta Zeta at the Univ. of Texas in Austin.
In high school we went on many double dates and I have great memories of fun times during those years. Later, at UT, we were roommates at the DZ house. I also remember being an attendant at her and Ed's wedding. I fussed at her for marrying so close to Christmas and on her birthday. I told her she would only get one present for 3 events. She laughed and said, "Yes, but in will be one H--- of a present!!"
Ed, our hearts go out to you. I know you were the love of her life as she was of yours. It will be hard to go on without her but you will be in our prayers. May our Loving Father grant you the peace of knowing she is with Him and that you will see her again. If you decide to take a trip, we would love to have you visit us in San Antonio.

Judy and Pete Allen

July 15, 2017

Dear sweet Charlene, you will be so missed. I am grateful & blessed to have known you. Ed, Sheldon & family, please know that my love, thoughts & prayers are with you now & always!

Kim Pappas

July 14, 2017

Anna Dabney

July 14, 2017

Anna Dabney

July 14, 2017

Anna Dabney

July 14, 2017

Anna Dabney

July 14, 2017

Charlene is my first cousin. Most of us first cousins are "only childs" so we feel more like siblings and she was the closest. She will be missed...
Love, Darla Vasterling

July 14, 2017

Keeping you and your family in my thoughts and prayers. Charlene was a fantastic lady and I was very lucky to have known her. God bless!!

Miriam Cole

July 14, 2017

Oh my dear Charlene, it was such a pleasure meeting your sweet dear face

July 14, 2017

Charlene truly loved life ,and you, Ed, were the love of her life.

We will truly miss her smile and sense of humor.

We are praying for you and your family during this time.

Doug and Dee Dee

July 13, 2017

Charlene truly enjoyed life and we will miss her.

Thank you for making her so happy and taking such good care of her to the end.

You have a lot to remember by being together.

Praying for you during this time.

Doug and Dee Dee

July 13, 2017

Keeping you and the rest of your family in my heartfelt thoughts and prayers, Ed. Charlene was a kind gentle soul with a heart of purest gold.

Melinda Lyon

July 13, 2017

With a heavy heart I awaited the passing of Charlene, with a large community of vocalists, church family and friends, not to mention her loving family and husband who all stood vigil these past 2 weeks. I'll mourn the loss of my friend, Charlene Staats. ♥

Sherry Wheat

July 13, 2017

Charlene is the perennial light of my life.

Ed Staats

July 13, 2017

Much love to you and family.

Mary Margaret Hicks

July 13, 2017

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Memorial Events
for Mary Staats

Jul

16

Visitation

1:00 p.m.

Pewee Valley Presbyterian

KY 40243

Jul

16

Memorial service

3:00 p.m.

Pewee Valley Presbyterian

KY 40243

Funeral services provided by:

Ratterman Brothers Funeral Home - East Louisville

12900 Shelbyville Road, Louisville, KY 40243

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