Staats, Diana Waugh

Passed: 1914-03-08

Age: 69

Source: Mountaineer

Death Notice:

Obituary Date: 1914-03-13

Information: Diana Waugh Staats, wife of G. W. Staats, passed from among the living at her home near Evans on March 8th, 1914, in the 69th year of her age, surrounded by the members of her family. Her death followed a few days illness with pneumonia. She was born at Ripley, Virginia on May 4th, 1845.  She was the second daughter of Andrew and Julia Waugh.  Her father died in Ripley in 1858 of smallpox.  The chief care of the family, consisting of the mother and seven children, then fell to the oldest son, Beverly Randolph Waugh.  In the same year the oldest daughter, Sarah, married James A. Greer, leaving Diana largely in charge of the home; the mother having poor health.  From that time she proved herself equal to every responsibility cast upon her, cheerfully bearing all her burdens. In 1860 the family moved to Cottageville, then a promising village, where Beverly taught subscription school and later became a clerk in the store conducted by George Leonard.  In the spring of 1862, Beverly became Clerk of the circuit court of the county and the family moved back to Ripley.  In the summer of the same year, the mother died, and in the autumn, the son followed her; thus breaking up the home.  Two years after the death of her mother, Diana was united in marriage with G. W. Staats and for a short time thereafter resided in Ripley.  They moved to the farm near Evans where, with exception of brief intervals at Ravenswood and Spencer, they made their home until her death.  She was converted in the year 1866 and joined the Methodist Episcopal church.  Wesley Chapel was built a short distance from her home and her house became the principal lodging place of Methodist ministers and presiding elders while attending the affairs of the church in that neighborhood.  She was always liberal in the support of the church and anxious to lead others to embrace Christianity.  She was very generous to those in need. Mrs. Staats was modest and quiet in demeanor, but had a brave heart, and met every difficulty with courage, patience and hopefulness.  She lived a cheerful life among many difficulties without complaint.  Of her family, her husband, G. W. Staats, three sons, Drs. C. C. and H. H. Staats of Spencer, Attorney E. R. Staats of Parkersburg; four daughters, Mesdames Anna Ferguson, Cora Fisher, Georgia Hodges, Miss Lorena Staats, and her sister, Miss Etta Waugh, survive.  The funeral was conducted by her pastor, Rev. J. E. Wells of Spencer, assisted by Rev. Homer Cummings of Ripley at the Evans M. E. Church, after which the remains were laid to rest in the Staats cemetery.  (McIntyre)