Dorothy Lee Staggs, 89, died at 11:20 a.m., Friday, March 16, 2018 at her home in Brighton. She was born in Killen, Alabama on October 6, 1928, one of four children born to the late Arlo Lee and Mary Lou (Hefner) McDonald.
Dorothy grew up in Alabama where she later married Robert R. Staggs on February 26, 1946 in Florence, AL. Together they were blessed with four children and nearly 34 years of marriage before his death on February 17, 1980.
Later in life, Dorothy relocated to the St. Louis area and later resided in Edwardsville, Greenfield and for the past seven years with her daughter in Brighton.
She worked for over 20 years as a seamstress for Miss Elaine’s in St. Louis, MO and after retirement became a special caregiver in Edwardsville.
She attended Community Fellowship Church of God of Prophecy in East Alton for over 40 years, where she was an active and devoted member, committed to devoting whatever she could to her faith and her church.
She was an avid gardener and enjoyed traveling with friends and family and through ministry with her church family.
Dorothy loved her family with all of her heart, most especially her grandchildren and great-grandchildren and she treasured the time she was able to spend with them all.
Her life was full of many blessing, but it did not come without its share of heartache, with the loss of her husband two children, however her faith in Jesus Christ allowed her continue through this life with the knowledge that she would one day be reunited with them in Heaven.
Surviving are a son, Lonnie Staggs of Fort Meyers, FL; a daughter and son in-law, Pamela and Jerry Dryjahski of Brighton; three grandchildren, six great-grandchildren; and a sister, Marjorie Nash of Alabama.
In addition to her parents and her husband, she was preceded in death by two sons, Robert and Jackie Staggs; a brother, Roy McDonald and a sister, Susie Taylor.
A Memorial Service will be held on Saturday, March 24, 2018 at the Community Fellowship Church of God of Prophecy in East Alton, 226 South Pence Street, at 12 p.m. followed by a luncheon for family and friends to gather and share stories and memories of Dorothy.
Private burial will take place at a later date.
Crawford Funeral Home in Jerseyville is assisting the family with arrangements.
