Julia Lee Staton

Julia Lee (Coons) Staton, 79, of Brea, passed away on July 7, 2023 while on home hospice due to complications from cancer. Julia was born in Indiana and raised in a Quaker household on a modest animal farm. She excelled in school and attended Lincoln Christian College in Illinois, graduating as the Valedictorian with a degree in Christian Education. She met her husband, Knofel Staton, in college and they married shortly thereafter. They had four children and lived in the Midwest until moving to Southern California.Julia enjoyed a meaningful career in Christian Education/pastoral care. She authored the book "What the Bible Says About Women" and viewed herself as a "pioneer" of women in Christian ministry. She began as an assistant at Crossroads Christian Church in Corona and then Pacific Christian College in Fullerton. She started her ministerial career at Crossroads, serving as the first and only ordained women's pastor in the nation in that church's fellowship as the Pastor of Adults and Small Groups. As a Certified Spiritual Director, she completed her career as the Minister to Women and Director of Recovery Ministry at First Presbyterian Church in Salinas. After her divorce and retirement, Julia took the opportunity to move about the country in order to live near her different grandchildren and great grandchildren during their formative years. She was loyal, wise, quiet, funny, resilient, tough, thoughtful, humble, and a good cook. She loved the Lord, her family, a good book, the beach, movies, her convertible, a great burger/fries, popcorn, family games, thought provoking conversations, and music. She will be greatly missed. Julia is preceded in death by her parents, Ralph and Helen Coons; her siblings, Fredric and Max Coons; and her children, Rachel and Randall Staton. She is survived by her brother, Sam Coons; her daughters, Rena Lolley and Rhonda Staton; 3 grandsons, 2 granddaughters, and 3 great-grandchildren. A memorial service will be held at the Yorba Linda Friends Chapel on Saturday 8/5 11am at 5211 Lakeview Ave. Yorba Linda, Ca. 92886. Reception immediately following on-site.Julia specifically asked that attendees bring a book they love, write on a 3x5 card (placed inside the book) what was enjoyed about it, as there will be a book exchange. Donations can be sent in her memory to: Brea's Friends Community Church, Compassion Ministry Fund MGFA: Myasthenia Gravis Foundation of AmericaOCF: Oral Cancer Foundation Inquiries/comments email Statonmemorial@gmail.com