We lost our dearly beloved Mom, Elizabeth Majors Staton, on March 14, 2023.   She was so loved, so loving and such a role model as she and Travis raised their three dear children teaching them by example to be Christian, hard-working citizens and adult role models themselves.

Elizabeth spoke often of a famous well-known quote by Jackie Kennedy: "If you fail raising your children, what good is anything else you do?"   Syd, Sonji and Sharon are her legacy, and she told them often how proud she was of them.

Elizabeth Majors Staton was born July 7, 1937, to the late Sidney Bradford Majors and Myrtle Ward Majors of Union, MS.  She loved God and her church. Her favorite verse was 2 Timothy 1:12

For which cause I also suffer these things: nevertheless I am not ashamed.

For I know whom I have believed and am persuaded that He is able to keep that which I have committed unto him until that day.

She became a Christian when she was twelve years old and was baptized at First Baptist Church in Union.  She and Travis were married at the same church March 29, 1959.

Elizabeth grew up in Union and graduated from Union High School. After working at Peoples Bank of Union for two years, she attended East Central Junior College where she was a member of Phi Theta Kappa then to Mississippi College.   On March 29, 1959, Easter Sunday, she married James Travis Staton, her high school sweetheart and a graduate of Mississippi State University.  She worked for Skelly Oil Company in Jackson, MS in what was then the Milner Building as receptionist and secretary for four years.

Starting their family in 1963, Elizabeth was a very happy stay-at-home mom to a wonderful baby boy, Sydney Travis Staton. In years to come their family was complete with two precious baby girls, Sonji Ann and Sharon Virginia.  When their youngest child was in kindergarten, Elizabeth went back to Mississippi College at night, changed her major and received her degree in Elementary Education along with completing some work on her master's degree.

She then taught many sweet children in the Clinton Schools for sixteen years and in later years saw many of them in retirement. They always recognized her, and she usually recognized them.

After Syd, Sonji and Sharon graduated from college and started their careers, she retired from her 16-year teaching career.  She and Travis were able to do a lot of traveling and in the meantime started a new hobby.  Ballroom dance enriched their lives for many years- both physically and socially. They made lifelong friends with whom they traveled and shared many enjoyable events.

After 51 years of marriage, she lost her beloved Travis, but in her heart, she knew he would have wanted her to treasure each day that was given to her, to continue to ballroom dance and enjoy her family and friends as they had together enjoyed them.  She always tried the best she could to do just that.

She tried to stay healthy and active, not only for herself but for her family.  It became her goal to become as independent as possible.  She wanted to become comfortable with flying alone to visit her two out-of-town children and their families. While Travis was alive, they made several trips to the Washington area where Syd and Karyn took them to various tourist attractions including the White House and other landmarks in the Washington, D.C. area.   She enjoyed spending treasured time with her daughter and family who live in Madison. Sonji was available to help in every way she could, and her family often visited and celebrated holidays at their mom's house. Elizabeth and Sharon made many trips together, and Sharon attended as many of her mom's dance competitions as she could. Mom also enjoyed traveling to MSU games, and Sharon took her to Dudy Noble Field last year to watch the MSU baseball team play.  All her family were so attentive and so caring, and she always expressed feeling their deep love.

Survivors include Syd and Karyn Staton of Bristow, Virginia;  Harvey and Sonji Staton Ellis of Madison, Mississippi and Sharon Staton of Houston, Texas.  She was loved by her grandchildren, Dailee Elise Ellis, Walker Harvey Ellis, Emily Grace Staton and Matthew Travis Staton. Other family survivors include her nephew, Bob Huddleston, wife, Julie and their children, Laura and Joel.

Many years ago, Elizabeth and Travis went together and selected on a little hill, their final resting place.  After doing that, they chose a marker which read "Forever Together", and now they are.

The family wishes to thank Covenant Caregivers for the excellent care they have given to our sweet mom at her home in Clinton.  We will always be grateful to you.

The celebration of Elizabeth's life will be Friday, March 17, at 11:00 at Morrison Heights Baptist Church. Visitation will be Thursday, March 16, 5:00-7:00 at Morrison Heights Baptist Church and at 10:00 Friday March 17 ^th prior to the service.

Pallbearers will be Syd Staton, Harvey Ellis, Walker Ellis, Bob Huddleston, Barry Burnside, and Kevin Jackson.

Honorary pallbearers will be Buck Jones, Williard Wood, Joe Moss, and Bruce Tarbet.

Memorials may be made to Morrison Heights Baptist Church or The Quisenberry Library in Clinton, MS.