Sibyl Teets Staples

COLUMBIA A graveside service for Sibyl T. Staples will be held at 11:00 a.m. Thursday, June 8, 2023 in Greenlawn Memorial Park. The Reverend Julie Belman will officiate. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Bethel United Methodist Church, 4600 Daniel Drive, Columbia, SC 29206 or Harvest Hope. Dunbar Funeral Home, Devine Street Chapel, is assisting the family.

When asked how she wanted to die, Sibyl would always say, “I just want to wake up dead.” She got her wish as she died peacefully in her sleep on June 4, 2023 at the age of 104. Sibyl was born on October 11, 1918, in Stilson Georgia to Julia Nina Wilson Teets and Herbert Mansfield Teets. She was their only daughter, having on older brother, Harry, and a younger brother, Billy. When Harry began first grade, Sibyl insisted upon going to school too, although she was only 4 years old. So she and Harry went to school together until they graduated. She was only 15 at the time. She then attended Georgia Teacher’s College and obtained a 2-year teaching certificate. She taught elementary school for 10 years through 1944. In 1940 she met and married “the love of her life”, Gordon. They were married for 60 years until Gordon’s death in 2001. Gordon worked for the railroad and was fond of saying that when he met Sibyl, he “swept her off her feet.” They were married 6 months after meeting and spent several years following the railroad from town to town as tracks were laid, eating in the camp cars, and staying in boarding houses. They finally settled down in Savannah, Georgia where their daughter, Charmelle, was born. In 1951 they relocated to Columbia, S.C. and Sibyl began working for the I.R.S. After retirement, Sibyl and Gordon volunteered with Meals on Wheels and were active members of Bethel UMC. Although on longer active in the church, Sibyl was the oldest living member of Bethel at the time of her death.

Sibyl was very fond of bridge and played all her adult life. She belonged to several bridge clubs and played weekly. After the death of her husband, she became somewhat of a traveler, although she was in her 80’s at the time. She accompanied her daughter and friends on several cruises and trips to Alaska, Hawaii, San Francisco and the Mexican Riviera. Sibyl was a loving and lovely lady who always saw the positive side of life and loved to laugh. She was known for wearing scarves and high heel sandals even in winter. She took pride in being color-coordinated and a true southern lady.

She is survived by her daughter; brother, Bill Teets (Carolyn) and various nieces and nephews. She will be missed.

Memories may be shared at www.dunbarfunerals.com.