Jo Carol Staples

Jo Carol Owens Staples, 75, native of Pinetops, NC, Colonial Heights, VA, and Lakewood Ranch, FL, passed away on Saturday, February 5, 2022. She is preceded in death by her parents, Benjamin Curtis, and Ora Mae Harrell Owens. Jo Carol Staples is settling into her cozy sewing room in heaven, right next to a well-stocked craft store and Jane's produce stand. Ronnie, her husband of 58 years, held her hand as she journeyed peacefully home to her mother (Ora Mae), father (Ben), and beloved cats Mikey and Bella.  It's impossible to describe the impact she had on others. Quiet and humble, even she never seemed to realize just how far she reached. She never would've described herself as a sun. She never saw herself as being at the center of things. Nevertheless, she was one: a warm, nurturing presence without which a beautiful garden would never have grown.  All kinds of plants grew in her garden. A husband, a successful family business, three daughters, four granddaughters. Even now there's the sprout of great-granddaughter, and doubtless more seeds still hide beneath the soil. Then there were friends, coworkers, strangers--no one was denied a place in her garden. She nourished each unconditionally, giving selflessly and constantly just so she could watch them grow and flourish. It didn't matter if she knew them for five decades or five minutes. Jo Carol knew that kindness and love are like water and sunlight: every plant needs them in some measure. This truth was in everything that she did. Long days and nights alongside her husband at their store. Hours holding wrenches, sewing seat covers, crafting a gum holder for his racecar. Afternoons hunting for leaves, making salt dough for school projects, and creating dress patterns for Holly Hobby dolls.  Homemade wedding gowns for each of her daughters. Snapped green beans, shelled butterbeans, tuna sandwiches that taste like mayo and relish more than fish. Days at the racetrack, afternoons at the farmer's market, Sundays at church, uplifting words and hugs for friends and strangers alike. Her light was boundless and impossible to ignore. It touched you, whether you realized it in the moment or not. This light is her legacy. It's infused into our roots, an inextricable part of who we are. She gave so much of herself to us that we know she's still with us, watching and knitting a blanket, sewing a dress, or making a quilt to welcome each of us home with. Jo Carol is now resting from her labors and her works will follow her through her family and friends. Jo is survived by her husband, Ronnie Staples; three daughters and husbands, Tammy Jo Carwile (David), Wendy Myers (Bill), and Jennifer Lausier (Chad); brother, Ron Owens (Patricia); grandchildren, Ashley Carwile (Jeremy Loy), Christy Carwile (Michael Matthews), Melanie Jo Myers, Mackenzie Lohr (Dustin); expected great-granddaughter in April, “sweet baby” Lohr; and other family and friends.  A funeral service will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Saturday, February 12, 2022, at the Colonial Heights Chapel of E. Alvin Small Funeral Homes & Crematory, 2033 Boulevard Colonial Heights, Virginia 23834. Interment will follow in Sunset Memorial Park, 2901, W. Hundred Road, Chester, Virginia 23831. The family will receive friends from 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. on Friday, February 11, 2022, at the funeral home. In lieu of flowers contributions may be made to St. Jude Children's Research Hospital P.O. Box 1000, Dept. 142 Memphis, Tennessee 38101-9908. Condolences may be registered at www.ealvinsmall.com.