JC Stayton Sr.

Obituary below.

Flowers may be delivered Friday, March 6, 2026 from 9am to 2pm only at Kincaid Funeral Services 1160 Springdale Rd., Helena, AR and Saturday from 9am to 10am only at the service location.

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JC Stayton Sr. was born on July 18, 1940, to Leroy and Ida Wilson Stayton in Marvell, Arkansas. In 1948, his family moved to West Helena, Arkansas. The sixth of ten children, he was preceded in death by his parents and eight of his siblings.

JC attended public schools in Marvell and West Helena and graduated from Eliza Miller Sr. High School in 1962.

On February 5, 1966, JC married his high school sweetheart. Together, they raised seven sensational children, building a life grounded in faith, hard work, and family.

In September 1975, JC made the most important decision of his life when he dedicated his life to Jehovah and symbolized it through water baptism. He served Jehovah faithfully until his death. A zealous proclaimer of his beliefs, JC often witnessed from door to door. When his health no longer allowed him to do so, he continued his ministry through letter writing and cart witnessing. One of his favorite scriptures was Acts 20:35, a principle he lived by and instilled in his children.

A hardworking and devoted provider, JC held many jobs at local plants and businesses, from picking berries in Michigan to driving trucks for companies in and out of state to support his growing family. These experiences gave him a wealth of travel stories, shaped by the places he visited and the people he met along the way. He continued his education and graduated from Crowley's Ridge Technical Institute in Forrest City, Arkansas, in 1981. In 1984, he opened Stayton's Cabinet Shop, which he operated with integrity and dedication until his retirement in 2018. He then passed the business on to his son, Lil' Jake. In retirement, JC took to sitting on the porch, watching the cars pass and offering a wave as they went by.

JC loved sharing stories about school sports, the houses he shaped with his hands as a cabinet maker and carpenter, and the family memories he held close. He was a steady provider for family and friends alike. Though a man of few words, people knew what he meant-and he meant what he said.

JC was preceded in death by his parents; six brothers-Steve, LC, Roosevelt, Carnell, Odell, and Frank; and two sisters-Nelly Mae and Alma "Polly."

He leaves to cherish his memory and continue his legacy of love and faith his wife of 60 years, Earnestine Simpson Stayton; three sons, A nthony Tyrone Stayton (Lisa), JC "Lil Jake" Stayton, Jr., and Nahshon "Shon" Stayton; four daughters, Constance Watson (Alton), Teresa Hamilton (Reginald), Resheda Seymour (Marco), and LaPrece Stayton; six grandchildren, Jaela White (Reginald), Reginald "RJ" Hamilton, Jalen Stayton, Andretti "AJ" Shears, Asia Shears, and Audrey Hamilton; one great-grandchild, Ryder-Lane Stayton; one sister, Odessa Jones (Harrison); in-laws Bernestine Williams Stayton, Beatrice Jones, Helen J. Brown, Ruby Simpson, Earnest Simpson, Jr. (Linda), and Walter Simpson (Mary); bonus grandchildren, Angel Bailey and Bakaris Flowers, Jr.; special friends, Norman Snerling and Pamela Johnson; close friends, nephews, nieces, cousins, spiritual brothers and sisters of Jehovah's Witnesses, and many others who loved him dearly.

Through a life of service and generosity, JC showed that the deepest joy comes not from what we receive but from what we give.

Acknowledgments

The family of JC Stayton, Sr. extends heartfelt gratitude to Dr. Lee Davis, Jr., Dr. David Webber, and Dr. Victor Williams for their care and compassion. We also sincerely thank the Twin City Congregation of Jehovah's Witnesses for their prayers, support, and spiritual encouragement.

We are deeply appreciative of everyone who called, sent text messages, cards, flowers, and words of comfort during this difficult time. Your kindness has meant more to us than words can express. The family would also like to thank Kincaid Funeral Services for their professionalism, care, and guidance in helping make this process as smooth and comforting as possible.

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