On March 2, 1934, an angel was born, our Mother, Ruth Penelope Griffith Staats. She passed away on October 4, 2015 to go to heaven to be with her husband Jack. When she set out on her journey of life she had many hardships along the way. She was an only child and was born weighing only three pounds. She had to be carried around in a shoe box. She may have been small but she had the spirit of someone much larger. She was in Davis Stewart orphanage for part of her childhood. Her spirited ways got her through that and made her a stronger person. She got married at 17 and had 5 rambunctious children. Still a child herself, she made it all work with love. Even though none of us turned out to be the kind, sweet and caring person that she was, we all have parts of her that are ingrained in us and we are thankful. Mom did not start working or driving until she was 40 years old. She wanted to make sure her children were on their own journey. Mom retired when she 75 years old but she had the personality of a young person. She was well loved by her friends and she made the best coffee, just ask anyone. Mom was such a good, wonderful, compassionate person who did not have a bad thing to say about anyone. One thing we will forever miss is her laugh, gregarious in every way, but so uplifting, it always made us smile and we hope it did the same for you. Mom's love and spirit will help us endure life's trials and tribulations. We will never forget her. She is our North Star leading the way. She was preceded in death by her husband, William F. Haynes and her husband and the love of her life, Jack Staats; parents, Charles and Edith Christine (Gibson) Griffith; son, William F. Haynes; and grandson, Nicholas Haynes. Survivors include her loving children, Christine Gibson and husband, Phil of Winfield, Chuck Haynes and wife, Barbara of Charleston, Deborah Haynes of Charleston, David Haynes and wife, Debra of Sissonville, and Kenny Staats and wife, Sue of Calif.; grandchildren, Melanie Walker, Michelle Gibson, Philip Gibson, C.W. Haynes and wife, Ellen, Gabe Haynes and wife, Ashlee, Brian Johnson and wife, Vickie, Mark Johnson, Melissa Hamrick and husband, Kenney, Dustin Haynes and wife, Lynette, and Rachel Haynes and fiancée, Justin Cooper, Jillian Staats of Chicago, and Brooke Staats; great-grandchildren, Charlie and Will Rooney, Kailey, Tayler, Gabe and Isabelle Johnson, Sabastian Haynes, Huntter, Makalia and Alexander Montgomery, and Julie and Annie Haynes. Also surviving are her lifelong friends, Mary Lou Welch and Mary Lou Walker, as well as her many friends from the post office. Funeral service will be 1:00 PM Friday, October 9, 2015 at Cunningham-Parker-Johnson Funeral Home with Pastor David Bowen officiating. Burial will follow at Cunningham Memorial Park, St. Albans. Visitation will be from 5:30 - 8:00 PM Thursday, also at the funeral home.