Rebecca Staples

Rebecca Ellis Staples, known as “Becky,” to family and close friends was born September 22, 1936, in Lone Star, South Carolina to the late Johnnie and Ernestine Ellis. She departed this life on Wednesday November 12, 2025, at Jacob Medical Center, Bronx, New York.

Rebecca went to Cedar Grove Elementary School. She attended John Ford High School as St. John High School Cameron SC where she graduates in 1948. She left South Carolina and came to New York City where she meet there and married Private John Henry Staples of this union produced their beloved son Stanley Maurice Staples.

Rebecca worked at Lenox Hill Hospital, as LPN Nurse for 36 years. During her career she went to Columbia Institution and then Hunter College for Nursing. She loved helping people her kindness was reflected in her work. She received many recognitions and awards for her excellence and work ethics. During the closing of her career she received many loving letters and beautiful gifts her patients and doctors she worked with over the many years. She retired in 2003.

It was her sister Lizze Johnson who was having a study with Jehovah Witnesses and Rebecca was eavesdropping and like what she heard. It was from there that she developed an unwavering love for Jehovah and dedicated her life November 7, 1960. She attended the Concourse Congregation Bronx, NY and then the Soundview Congregation in the Bronx, she was a faithful servant for last 65 years of her life.

Rebecca loved to visit her family home in Cameron, South Carolina. Like her mother Ms. Ernestine, she was a true example of Southern Hospitality anyone who visit the farm was going to be feed, anything from fried chicken, southern style potato salad, bbq ribs and 7-Up cake. Whether she was on the farm in the south or entertaining in her apartment here in the Bronx, that spirit of southern hospitality followed and passed down to her son Stanley.

Rebecca also loved the arts, museums, and travel and music. And let us not forget she was a true fashion diva throughout her life. Her style of dress was always amazing.

Proceeding her in death is her sister Ethel, Lizzie, and her brothers George Ellis, Ezekiel Ellis, Eddie Ellis and Jake Ellis.

Rebecca Ellis Staples leaves behind her beloved Son Stanley Maurice Staples of Bronx NY Loving Sister Patricia A. Ellis of Brooklyn, NY: Neice Camille Selby, Brooklyn, NY, Her Great Niece Makeda F.Selby Freycinet, Granddaughter Liah Rose Torres Bronx, NY; Grandson Elvin Torres Bronx, NY, her lifelong best friend Clara Snead, Raleigh, North Carolina.

The Ellis Staples family is Grateful to Charmise Johnson, was her Caregiver, daughter and friend for the last 4 years of life. She was with her to the very end.

We also want to thank Jacquelyne Hill, who was part of the care team for Rebecca, we are grateful.

Thank you also to Charlie and Cynthia Thompson for their years of care for their sister-in-their faith she loves you both.

Rebecca was a Faithful Servant, Loving Mother, Loving Sister, Loving Aunt, A loving Grandmother, and Spiritual Mother too many over the years.

Sister Rebecca Ellis Staples would tell us all.

“Don’t You Cry, Don’t Worry about me I am going to be Ok.”.