Rufus Staples

Services for Rufus Staples, 88, Tyler, were held Feb. 10 at Stewart Family Funeral Home chapel, Tyler, with the Rev. Kim Beckham officiating.

Burial was in Bascom Cemetery. Mr. Staples died Feb. 7, 2007, in a Tyler hospital.

He was born April 11, 1918, in Smith County to the late Arthur and Emma Staples. He was a farmer and worked as a security guard at Trane and Southland Corp. He was a longtime member of Central Baptist Church, and was preceded in death by his wife of 64 years, Mable Staples.

Survivors include sons, Kenneth Staples, Tyler, and Robert Staples, Whitehouse; daughter, Elizabeth Melton, New Chapel Hill; sister, Ruth McCaslin, Flint; three grandchildren; seven greatgrandchildren; nieces and nephews.

Pallbearers were Jeff Staples, David Staples, Jeremy Staples, Eddie Melton; David Line and Dean Thorn.