Opal Ruth Staggs

Opal Ruth Staggs, known to many as “Nanya”, was born at Hurricane Mills, Tennessee, and was raised in Illinois and Hickman County, Tennessee. She leaves her son, Mike Staggs of Centerville, granddaughters, Keaton Morrissey and Rachel Staggs and her great-grandchild, Weston McCaleb. Her daughter, Jan Staggs, and grandson, Dylan Staggs, predeceased her. Her parents were the late Eunice Lester Tidwell and Noah E. Tidwell. She had six siblings, all of whom predeceased her. She was a member of the Centerville Church of Christ for 50 plus years. Ms. Staggs had several careers, beginning as a temporary secretary and promoted to the executive office as a professional secretary to the president and vice-president at the Baptist Sunday School Board. She switched to the medical field and was a medical secretary and a medical and research assistant at Nashville General Hospital. She was a liaison between the Nashville Academy of Medicine and the Nashville Association of Medical Assistants. She was an office manager and assistant for two neurosurgeons. After moving back to Hickman County, she worked at Maury Regional Hospital. She was also a real estate agent with Century 21. She later owned Centerville Foodland. Mrs. Staggs was active in the community as a cub scout mom. She received the first award given for “Boss of the Year” in 1990 and was honored as “Citizen of the Year” in 1996 given for her work with underprivileged children and Habitat for Humanity, of which she was a charter member. Her most loved career was being a mother to Jan and Michael and helping with her grandchildren. She held dear several nieces and nephews as well as great-nephew, Kevin Carroll. Her niece, Sherry Jones, was always there to help in many ways. Her nephew, Lynn Tidwell, brought much joy to her life by inviting her to see his lovely places of residence. Visitation with the Staggs family will be Saturday, April 27, 2024, at McDonald Funeral Home from 4:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m. Funeral Services for Ms. Staggs will be Sunday, April 28 in the Chapel of McDonald Funeral Home beginning at 1:00 p.m. with Bill McDonald officiating. Burial will follow in the Charles L. Nickell Memorial. At the time of burial, following Ms. Staggs’ wishes, her daughter Jan will be reinterred beside her.

Opal Ruth Staggs

April 22, 1936 - April 26, 2024