Mrs. Joan C. Stapleton

STAPLETON, Mrs. Joan C. - Age 66, passed away Monday, April 27, 2015 at Hurley Medical Center. Services will be held 8 a.m. Saturday, May 2, 2015 from the Chapel of Lawrence E. Moon Funeral Home, 906 W. Flint Park Blvd. Interment Sunset Hills Association, G-4413 Flushing Rd. Friends and pallbearers will assemble at the funeral home 8 a.m. Saturday. Mrs. Stapleton will lie in state in the Chapel of Lawrence E. Moon Funeral Home, and may be viewed from 1 p.m. - 8 p.m., with family hour from 5 p.m. - 7 p.m. Friday. Ms. Joan Carrie Stapleton was born April 23, 1949 in Flint, Michigan, the daughter of the late Mr. & Mrs. John and Alyce Hicks, She obtained her Bachelor’s Degree from the University of Michigan – Flint and her Master’s Degree from Central Michigan University. She was a devoted educator of the Flint Community Schools for 34 years where she loved working with students and their families. Mr. Joan Carrie Stapleton leaves to cherish her memory: daughter, Maria Anjeanette (Octavio) Williams; son, Lon Edward Stapleton, all of Flint, MI; 6 grandchildren, Octavia, Kalieha, Kalea, Lon II, Tierel Shelburne and Nichelle Selvy; sister, Carolyn (Parnell) Green of Flint, MI; 3 nephews, Shamar (Nicolle) Green of Lansing, MI, Bryon and Chad green both of Flint, MI; special niece, Danielle Stapleton-McGee; great-niece, Rhonda Green; great-nephew, William Green both of Lansing, MI; special cousins, Leon Woods, Charles Woods, Wilburt Woods, Sherry Woods, Pamela Ross, Glenda Massonburg, Monifa Yvonne, Latefa Duhart, Tishema Wallace, and Latoya Massonburg; a host of other relatives and friends, including special friends, Earlene Hildreth, Pat Elerson, Shirley Henderson, Deborah Collins, Sandra Page, Rosemary Adkison, Marcia Pendergrass, Bernice Kendall, Cynthia Jarrett, Gwen Robinson, Jean Durette, Carolyn Dudley, Delphine Roberts, Pam Gaines, Gestine Brown, Tina Miller, Eddie Stapleton, and Shearese Stapleton. Ms. Stapleton was preceded in death by: parents, Mr. & Mrs. John and Alyce Hicks; special friend, Sophronia Wilson; and various family members and friends. The family wishes to acknowledge with deep appreciation Lillian Brezzell, Mary Graham, Ashley Brezzell-Koumba and William Brezzell for their assistance in our time of need. The family would also like to acknowledge the many prayers, comforting messages, floral tributes and many other kind gestures that have been offered. We thank you so very much. HEAVEN IS CLOSE By: Octavia Williams Heaven doesn’t feel so far away now that you are there, It’s like we can reach out and touch it just to feel your loving hands. You were an angel on Earth, now you’ve got wings in Heaven. Probably listening to jazz with Jesus and telling Him about your ‘Grands’. Heaven doesn’t feel so far away now that you are there, It’s like we can reach out and touch it just to feel your warm embrace. We could always call you on Earth, now we have to pray to Heaven. We can still hear your voice speaking with such wisdom and grace. Heaven doesn’t feel so far away not that you are there, It’s like we can reach out and touch it just to fill the empty space. You smile lit up the world, now your laugh echoes through Heaven. Probably laughing at the fact you didn’t want to leave this place. Heaven doesn’t feel so far away now that you are there, It’s like we can reach out and touch it just to see you once again. We miss you so much on Earth, now we only hope to get to Heaven. Waiting for the day we can all be together again. Heaven doesn’t feel so far away now that you are there.

Mrs. Joan C. Stapleton

April 23, 1949 - April 27, 2015