Johnston, SC - Funeral Services for Sis. Annie Mae Staley will be held 2:00pm Sunday, February 16, 2025, at the Bland Baptist Church, Johnston, SC, where the Rev. Dr. Willie D. Abney, is Pastor/ Eulogist and the Rev. Sammie Williams, will officiate. Interment will follow in the Church Cemetery, Johnston, SC. Viewing will be 11:00am - 5:00pm Saturday at the Amos & Sons Funeral Home, Johnston, SC.
Sis. Annie Mae Butler Staley, left this world and began her eternal rest on Monday February 10th, 2025. She was born in Saluda County, SC to the late George and Mattie (Bush) Butler on December 16th 1939. She received her formal education through Edgefield County Schools and is a 1960 graduate of Edgefield County High School.
During her early years in life she was a faithful member of the Bland Baptist Church. There were also times in which she attended the Mount Calvary Baptist Church, located in Johnston, SC where her father was a member. Like her father, the late George Butler, she could carry a tune. We often laughed about how her voice drowned out our voices when we were singing, because it was just that powerful.
She relocated to Queens, New York in 1961 to start a new life after graduating from high school. Little did she know that when she left SC, that she would meet the love of her life, John Benjamin Staley on June 11th, 1961. It was always funny to hear stories of how mommy was so excited, when he came to meet her parents and ask for her hand in marriage that same year. Indeed love was in the air as they were joined in marriage in that same year on December 24th, 1961.
She joined the Mt. Zion Baptist Church of Jamaica (Queens), New York in 1977. She was a phenomenal Sunday School teacher, Deaconess, a dedicated soup kitchen worker in the church, a member of numerous choirs such as the Evangelistic Choir, the Mass Choir and the Jackson Chorus. The Jackson Chorus was a legendary choir at the Mount Zion Baptist Church, that represents, down home southern style quartet, acapella gospel singing that was soul stirring and meant so much to her. She also became one of the mother’s of the church at the Mount Zion Baptist Church and she graciously served in these roles and other important roles in the church until the very end of her life.
Did anyone say bowling? She was one of the best bowlers New York ever saw. She was a member of the Mount Zion Baptist Church Classics Bowling Team. She was a top scorer and a lot of times she would bowl better than her son Anthony! She was a great seamstress with her own sewing machine. She was handy at fixing things in the home much like her own mother. She was a great cook and one of the best drivers in New York! While she spent many years in New York, her heart was always in South Carolina and she truly loved her home church, Bland Baptist Church.
She left an amazing strong legacy that will not be forgetten. She was a selfless person who worked very hard for many years as housekeeper. She always put everyone else before her own needs. It is this type of inspiration that will carry us through these difficult times.
She was proceeded in death by her husband, John B. Staley. Through this union, God blessed the couple with eight beautiful children. Four children preceeded her in death, Barry F. Staley, Betty Isaac, Bennie Isaac and Bobbie Isaac. She was also preceeded in death by her only brother, Dea. John H. Butler.
She leaves a lasting legacy that is embedded in her loving family: two sons, Trustee Anthony Eric Staley of Johnston, South Carolina, and Curtis Isaac of Hopkins, South Carolina; two daugthers Dr. Carol Lanita (Dea. John) Abney of Saluda, South Carolina and Laverne Denise Staley of South Ozone Park, New York, five amazing granddaughters who she helped enter into this world and cared for them, Daeshnae K. Staley of Aiken, SC, Syreen N. Sharper, Ava G. Abney, Addison G. Abney and Alexia G. Abney all of Saluda, SC, a special brother in-law and a devoted sister, Dea.Wendell and Lanie Miles of Aiken, South Carolina; a special sister-in-law, Patricia Thompson of Lexington, SC, a special friend Walter Mae Abney of Saluda, SC (mother-in-love to Carol) and a host of nieces and nephews, cousins, church family and friends that will miss her.
