Death: Shirley L. Staats, Former Lions Club Leader, Sadly Passed Away at 85

Shirley L. Staats Obituary: It is with great sorrow that we announce the passing of Shirley L. Staats, age 85, on January 8, 2025, at her residence in Murfreesboro, TN. Born on January 22, 1939, in Bentonville, AR, Shirley lived a life filled with love, faith, and dedication to her family, community, and causes close to her heart.

Remembering Shirley L. Staats

Shirley was the beloved daughter of Elmer and Roxie Holcomb of Bentonville, AR, and the cherished sister of Wilma Faulkner, who preceded her in death. She leaves behind a legacy of love through her devoted husband of 67 years, Oliver Eugene (Gene) Staats, her children Renee (Joe) Miller of Murfreesboro and Bryan (Tracy) Staats of Rockvale, and her extended family, including 5 grandchildren, 6 great-grandchildren, and 2 great-great-grandchildren.

She is also survived by her sister Bernell (Howard) Womack of Bentonville, AR, along with a host of nieces, nephews, and countless friends who admired her spirit, determination, and kindness.

A Life of Accomplishment

Shirley was a proud graduate of Bentonville High School, Class of 1957. Her career spanned over 30 years in banking, but her true passion lay in her community service and volunteer work.

She began her journey with Lionism in 1975, joining the Murfreesboro Lioness Club. Shirley made history as the first woman to join the Murfreesboro Lions Club, where she held many officer positions over the years. Her leadership was exemplary—serving as District Governor (2006-2007) and Council Chairperson (2007-2008), becoming the second woman to hold this esteemed position.

For 20 years, Shirley served as Executive Director of the Middle Tennessee Lions Sight Service, championing initiatives to improve vision and health for the underserved. Her dedication earned her several prestigious accolades, including:

• Lindsey-Jones Fellow Award (2017)
• Induction into the Tennessee Lions Hall of Fame (2017)
• Melvin Jones Award
• International Leadership Award (2020-2021), the third-highest honor given by the International President.

Shirley was also deeply committed to her faith and actively participated in the life of her church, Mt. Herman Baptist Church.

In Honor of Shirley L. Staats

In lieu of flowers, the family kindly requests memorial contributions be made to the Murfreesboro Noon Lions Club in honor of Shirley’s lifelong service to her community.

Funeral Service Details

To celebrate Shirley’s life, family and friends are invited to attend the visitation and funeral services.

Shirley’s life was a testament to the power of service, love, and faith. She will be remembered as a devoted wife, loving mother, and inspiring leader who touched countless lives.

May her soul rest in peace, and may her legacy continue to shine brightly in the hearts of those she leaves behind.

Hastro

Hastro is a compassionate writer for Funeral Diary, focused on sharing accurate and heartfelt obituary and death news. Alongside honoring lives, he also helps raise awareness for families in need by featuring verified GoFundMe campaigns related to funeral expenses and urgent family support. Through every article, hastro aims to offer both tribute and help in times of grief.