Every man's life is a plan of God – Horace Bushnell

The second born and son of the late Claud Otis and Lela Atkins Staples entered into time on April 17, 1936 in Camden, Arkansas and eternity April 3, 2020, at Allegiance Specialty Hospital, Greenville, MS.

Raymond was a scholar at the Northside Elementary and Lincoln High School in Camden, Arkansas. Upon graduation he entered Agricultural Mechanical and Normal College (AM&N) now the University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff obtaining a degree in Business. Further studies include M. Ed University of Arkansas Fayetteville, AR and an Ed. S., Arkansas State University, Jonesboro, Arkansas.

His career expanded with a beginning at the O'Bannon High School, Greenville, MS, the Camden School district Camden, AR, and the Eudora Public School District, Eudora, AR 1971-1999. He was affiliated with several organizations: Star of Bethlehem, Lodge #125, PM and Secretary; District #4 Masonic Lodge Secretary; Grand Lodge Recorder; Royal Arch; Angerona Consistory #78 Pine Bluff, 32nd Degree Mason; Eudora-Holly Ridge Order of Eastern Star #194 Patron; Eudora Alumni Chapter of UAPB, Chicot County Retired Teachers' Association, President; AR Retired Teacher's Association; Southeast Arkansas Regional Library Board; Delta Sigma Lambda of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc.

Preceding him in death was his brother Claud Otis, Jr. and sister Sara Jo Wilson. Other survivors are the members of Zion Chapel Baptist Church in which he was the past Sunday School Assistant Teacher, a Deacon since 1991, and Church Treasurer.

Raymond a retired forty year educator/administrator was never too busy to acknowledge and worship his planner, a Baptized believer and a member of the Zion Hill Missionary Baptist Church, Camden, AR, joined the Zion Chapel Missionary Baptist Church in Eudora after his marriage to Vertie Wesley Staples in 1972.

This union allowed Raymond to be survived by his wife of 47 years, Vertie, a daughter, Claudace Onita Staples, and Brother Samuel Staples (Zelma), three nieces: Katella (Lewis), Melody, Lela Rochon (Antoine); two nephews, Gregory and Kenneth (Sherrie), and host of cousins and other relatives.

Nothing but a good life can fit men for a better one hereafter which exemplifies what Raymond attempted to live. Matthew 5:16, Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven.