Charlene Staggs Overton
Charlene Staggs Overton was born March 3, 1951 in Waynesboro, TN to the late Cecil Evans and Lizzie Ellen McDonald Staggs. Charlene had a heart of the purist gold, open to all with love, kindness, generosity, and strength. It didn’t matter to Charlene whether you are homeless or had all the worldly possessions one could only dream of; to Charlene everyone was given the same love, respect, and opportunities from her heart with no regrets, no fears, no expectation of any kind but only for those to whom she gave, would in turn pay it forward to others. Charlene loved cooking and making sure others stayed fed. You would never find yourself leaving her presence on an empty stomach. She steadfastly made sure your belly was full. Beyond her family and friends, Charlene loved to learn and experience new things. You could find her frequently reading a book or watching a TV show especially those pertaining to history. She had a passion for all things historical. She was intrigued by presidential history and would read stories or even visit places where such prominent figures once stood. She believed in education. That passion led her to going back to school later in life where she achieved a degree in nursing - a first for the family that has since inspired others to follow in her footsteps. And like her family and friends who knew firsthand, Charlene’s love and tenderness would again come full circle by the compassion and dedication she expressed to others in their time of need. Charlene touched a great many and those many are better today because of that. And it is that legacy that will be remembered most. She departed this life on Sunday, March 2, 2025, one day before her 74th birthday.
Those left to cherish her memory include her children, Christopher Evans Staggs of Waynesboro, TN, Dana Heffner (John) of Parma, OH, Melinda Wiliams (Richard), Terry Overton (Joan), Eugene Overton (Betty), Quinda McLaughlin (Kenneth), all of Waynesboro, TN; three sisters, Dorothy Sue Potete of Savannah, TN, Sharon Borden (Wayne) of Waynesboro, TN, Carol Ricketts of Summertown, TN; one brother, Jeff Staggs (Christina) of Collinwood, TN. She is also survived by eighteen grandchildren: Christopher Staggs, John Gary Staggs, Joselyn Warren, Micaiaha Hughes, Jessica Stewart, Haven Locklear, Xzavier Farris, Anna Marie Holt, Kimberly Pope, Lindsey Overton, Heather Skelton, Jamie Jackson, Kirari Cole, Bubbie Sherill, Jessica Mashburn, Heather Novem, Andrew McLaughlin, Seth Williams, and multiple great and great-great grandchildren.
In addition to her parents and husband, Bobby Gene Overton, she was preceded in death by a daughter, Sherry Lynn Beason; a grandson, Gene Chadwick Beason; and her siblings, Bobbie Baugus, Joe Keith Staggs, Patricia Staggs, Willeen Orton, Edith Staggs, and Joan Skelton.
Funeral services began at 1:00 PM on Thursday, March 6, 2025 at Bates-Love Funeral and Cremation Chapel with Greg Eaton and Tim Hanback officiating. Interment followed in the Overton Cemetery.
