Jess Vernon Staton, 1925-2001

  Jess Vernon Staton was born August 12, 1925, in Lynn, West Virginia, the son of the late Charles Avery "Sandy" Stayton and the late Nancy Charles Stayton Wright. He graduated from McVey High School, McVey, Kentucky, in 1941; received his B.A. from Temple-Chatt, Tennessee, in 1956; graduated from Dabney-Lancaster Seminary in 1984, and continued theological training from Duke Seminary, Durham, N.C.

  Jess was first married to Virginia Staton and they had two sons, Jess V. Jr. and Stephen; five daughters, Nancy, Rebecca, Beth, Lydia, and Sandy. Later he married Barbara Morse Staton and they had one daughter, Rachel. Jess also had a stepson, Randall Morse, 16 grandchildren and six great-grandchildren.

  Following 26 years in the Baptist ministry, Jess joined the Virginia Conference of the Methodist Church, serving 23 years in the following churches: Potts Valley and Epworth, Staunton District; Smith’s Grove and Trinity, Petersburg District; Wakefield, Portsmouth District; Park View and Zion, Lynchburg District.

  Jess was proud to have served in the U.S. Army during World War II and enjoyed reminiscing with fellow veterans.

  He was dedicated to preaching and teaching the gospel and winning souls to Christ. He was persistent in visiting those he thought needed Christ. He was an avid visitor of those who were sick or shut-in and referred to the middle initial of his name standing for "Visiting."

  Despite a diagnosis of cancer, Jess focused on his mission of ministry to the needs of his church family and preaching the gospel of Jesus Christ.

  Jess died on May 16, 2001, at his home in Lynchburg. A funeral service was held at Park View United Methodist Church with the Rev. Kenneth J. Jackson and the Rev. C. Douglas Pillow officiating. Interment with military honors by American Legion Post #16 was in Bethany United Methodist Church Cemetery, Forest, Va.

  "I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith."