Virginia R (Hammonds) Staples

Virginia R. Staples, 86, of North Smithfield, passed away peacefully in the home she created for her loving husband and 8 beloved children on April 7, 2018.  Born in Whitco, Kentucky, she was the daughter of the late William and Cordelia (Cuzzort) Hammonds.

A coal miner’s daughter, she was very proud of her Appalachian Heritage.  She loved her Kentucky Bluegrass Mountain Music, singing and yodeling, and the guitar.  A prolific gardener whose abundant flowers and vegetables were enjoyed by her family, she was the backbone of her husband's landscaping business, Staples Landscaping, for many years. Virginia was a very talented woman whose hobbies and crafts included knitting, crocheting and sewing, creating clothing, blankets and other items for family members often without using patterns.  Also, she was an avid cook and baker.  She made amazing zucchini bread, apple cake and her own original Kentucky fried chicken.  An animal lover as well, she cared for her own pets while rescuing and nurturing stray animals.  She adored her loving cat, Frisky.

Virginia also worked for Hasbro, A.T. Cross and the Woonsocket Health Center.  True to her religion she was a former member of the Church of the Nazarene in Woonsocket.

She was married to the love of her life for 67 years, Howard Staples. She is survived by her 8 children: Howard Staples, Jr. and his wife Ardi of West Wareham, MA, William Staples and his wife Bonnie of Norco, CA, Nancy Krajczynski and her husband Russell of North Smithfield, RI, Linda Krajewski and her husband Michael of North Smithfield, RI, Kathleen Burt and her husband, Steve of Woonsocket, RI, Mary Hiley and her husband Matthew of Pascoag, RI, Helen Lafreniere and her husband Jeffrey of North Smithfield, RI and Jennifer Emerson and her husband Craig of Cumberland, RI; and her cherished 15 Grandchildren, 15 Great Grandchildren and 2 Great Great Grandchildren.  Her siblings include: Pauline Bastow of FL, Jana Glading of VA and D.  L. Hammonds of KY.   Besides her parents, waiting in heaven to welcome her are her grandson Joshua Burt, and siblings, Leota Lawson, Kathleen Hammonds, Mazel Hammonds, Wanda Back, Comas Hammonds and Billy Ray Hammonds. 

Her funeral will be held, Saturday, April 14, at 10:00 AM from the Keene-Brown Funeral Home, 445 Greenville Road, North Smithfield.  Burial will follow in the Diamond Hill Cemetery, Reservoir Road, Cumberland. Visitation will be Friday, from 4-7 PM in the funeral home. 

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