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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