Carol Schultz Staton

October 20, 2021
Carol Schultz Staton Carol Schultz Staton

Carol Schultz Staton died at her treasured Lake Jacksonville home on Monday, October 18, 2021. She was born in Jacksonville, Texas, February 3, 1932 to the late Hattie Brown Nicholson Schultz (May 12, 1902-Oct. 18, 1988) and Carl Herman Severin Schultz, Jr. (Feb. 15, 1893-Sept. 20, 1977), both of Jacksonville.

Carol graduated from Jacksonville High School as a member of the National Honor Society. Next she attended Lon Morris Junior College and spent two semesters at Tyler Business College.

An excellent secretary, Carol worked at the headquarters of 3 Beall Brothers department stores for Ray Beall. She found time to be the leader of a Brownie troop. She also joined Beta Sigma Phi International and served as its president several times. In the early 1960s she was a secretary at SK Church Furniture. And she did this while raising three daughters.

Carol’s work at SK Church Furniture led to a surprising trip to New York City where she was a contestant on TV’s What’s My Line. The panelists guessed Carol’s occupation as a collection plate saleswoman.

In 1980, her husband Jimmy’s work with Brown & Root took them to Pascagoula, Mississippi, where these Jacksonville natives dined on the fresh Gulf seafood and weathered their first hurricane.

Always creative, she was known for her decorating taste. She lived by the William Morris quote, “Have nothing in your house that you do not know to be useful, or believe to be beautiful.” She was also an excellent seamstress and made curtains, clothes, and her daughters’ costumes and formal dresses. Forever a lady, she had a lovely voice, a sharp wit, a keen interest in history, and an extensive vocabulary. Her living room library is filled with books she treasured. She delighted in reading, music, painting in oils, and she adored old classic movies.

Carol had a passion for birding and nature. A favorite pastime was riding with Jimmy on country drives among the lush greenery of East Texas and especially in the fall, when the trees were changing colors. She enjoyed target practice with her pistol, too.

Her loving and devoted husband Jimmy Harold Staton of Jacksonville survives her. Their June 30, 1975 marriage has been celebrated for 46 years.

Left to cherish Carol’s memory are her three daughters Leigh Owen (husband Timothy W. Calk) of Houston, Kathleen (Owen) Stanfill (husband Robert Eric) of Jacksonville and Alyson (Owen) Ezell (husband Patrick) residents of Maydelle. Carol is also survived by her stepdaughter Ginny Staton of Los Alamos, New Mexico, who contributed greatly to her care. Survivors also include her grandson Owen Michael Stanfill and two great granddaughters Hattie Leigh and Nora Jo Stanfill. She is also survived by her nephew Merle C. (Butch) Gragard of Jacksonville and niece Clair Denise Lambright of Houston.

She was preceded in death by her sister Linda Grace (Schultz) Lambright (Oct. 28, 1937-Aug. 16, 1970) and her first husband Hugh Emerson Owen (Feb. 18, 1927-Feb. 17, 2005) both of Jacksonville. As well as her niece Linda Marie Lambright (July 28, 1959-Dec. 31, 2001).

Private services are under the direction of Autry Funeral Home, Jacksonville.

Honorary Pallbearers

Weldon Lightsey, Butch Gragard, Tommy Jackson, Patrick Ezell.

JHS Class of 1949.

Clergy

Rev. Barbara Hugghins and Rev. Jerry Carol.