Obituary of Ruben Earl Stapleford ~ 2008
Transcribed by Joan S Dunn
Source: New Bern Sun Journal Oct 8 2008
Ruben Earl Stapleford, 82, born June 25, 1926, in Oriental, passed away on
October 4, 2008, in Norfolk, Va.
He is survived by his sister, Golda Stapleford Bell, and extended family
members throughout the mid-Atlantic region.
He is preceded in death by his parents, Thomas Hazel Stapleford and Vera
Brown Stapleford, and his siblings, Kemp Francis Stapleford, Elizabeth
Stapleford Mann, Hazel Calvine Stapleford Jones and Vera Geraldine
Stapleford Kijewski.
Ruben was raised in Oriental, served in the U.S. Air Force from 1944 to
1968 and was a veteran of WWII and the Vietnam War. Upon retiring from the
Air Force he entered the U.S. Merchant Marines and continued to serve his
country. He was a devout man who lived a simple life. He loved his family,
church, music, reading, birds and sailing the seas. While his roots and
love for his Oriental home were forever in his heart, Ruben lived in
Norfolk, Va., with family and friends who shared his love of life.
The Reverend Paul Grubbs of Oriental Free Will Baptist Church will preside
over a graveside service in the Oriental cemetery to be held at 11 a.m. on
Saturday, October 11, 2008, followed by a Celebration of Life luncheon in
the church's Fellowship Hall from noon until 3 p.m. for family and friends.
Arrangements by Bryant Funeral Home and Cremations, Alliance.
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