Obituary of Shirley L. Staats

Shirley L. Staats, age 85, passed away January 8, 2025, at her residence. She was born on January 22, 1939, in Bentonville, AR. Shirley is preceded in death by her parents, Elmer and Roxie Holcomb of Bentonville, AR and her sister, Wilma Faulkner of Springdale, AR. She is survived by her husband of 67 years Oliver Eugene (Gene) Staats, daughter, Renee (Joe) Miller of Murfreesboro, son, Bryan (Tracy) Staats of Rockvale, 5 grandchildren, 6 great grandchildren, 2 great-great grandchildren her sister, Bernell (Howard) Womack of Bentonville, AR and a host of nieces and nephews. Shirley was a graduate of Bentonville High School class of 1957. Shirley worked in banking for over 30 years. Shirley joined Lionism in 1975 as a member of the Murfreesboro Lioness Club where she held many officer positions. She was the first woman to join the Murfreesboro Lions Club. She was the District Governor of the Lions Club from 2006-2007 and the second woman to be Council Chairperson in 2007 to 2008. She served as Executive Director of the Middle Tennessee Lions Sight Service for 20 years. She received the Lindsey -Jones Fellow Award in 2017 and was inducted into the Tennessee Lions Hall of Fame the same year. She was a recipient of the Melvin Jones Award and the International Leadership Award which is the 3rd highest award presented by International President 2020-2021. Shirley was very active in her church, Mt. Herman Baptist Church. In lieu of flowers memorials may be made to: Murfreesboro Noon Lions Club Visitation with the family will be 11:00am until 1:00pm, Tuesday, January 14, 2025, at Murfreesboro Funeral Home with the funeral service at 1:00pm. Interment to follow at Evergreen Cemetery.