Obituary of Ann Bennett Edwards Stapleton

Ann Stapleton of Greensboro, NC died on May 21, 2021.  She was born in Greensboro on August 8, 1932 to the late Aubrey and Blanche Edwards.  Ann grew up in Sunset Hills, attending Lindley Elementary and Lindley Junior High, and graduating from Greensboro Senior High School in 1950.  She attended UNC-G, then called Women’s College, receiving her degree in Elementary Education in 1953.  She married S. Baxter Stapleton in the summer of 1953 and raised 3 children in the Lindley Park area until 1963, when she and Baxter moved to NJ.

When in NJ, Ann was a Girl Scout leader and trainer, a leader of the youth groups at Madison Baptist Church, and a volunteer in the Berkeley Heights school system.  Upon returning to Greensboro in 1971, Ann attended and graduated from UNC-G with a Master of Education with a Specialty in Reading Education.  She endeavored to enlighten the youth she worked with in reading by tutoring, helping with the Greensboro Literacy Council, co-directing summer programs with Children with Learning Disabilities, training teacher aides at UNC-G, and volunteering with the Greensboro City Schools to present reading education to students and parents.  She also taught in the Early Education Department and the Guided Studies Department at GTCC.

Ann and Baxter were enthusiastic ballroom dancers and former members of many Ballroom Dance groups.  Ann was also a former docent of the Greensboro Arboretum and former member of the Board of Directors of the Tower Glen Homeowner’s Association.

Ann was preceded in death by her husband of 63 years, Baxter. She is survived by her sister, Jane Byrd and husband David of Greensboro; daughter Carol Allen and husband Ed of Greensboro; daughter Dr. Amy Stapleton and partner L. Carl Schellbach Jr. of Stuart, FL; son R. Bruce Stapleton and wife Priscilla of Centerville, OH.  Also surviving are 5 grandchildren: Stacey Allen (fiancé Joe Rodriguez), Michelle Renfro (husband Lee), R. Baxter Stapleton, S. Alexander Stapleton (wife Johannah), and Christine Boos (husband Brian).  There are also 4 great-grandchildren: Gabriel, Eliana, Joshua, and Jonathan Renfro.

Many thanks to the great staff at Well-Spring Assisted Living and Skilled Nursing Centers for all their care and attention in Ann’s last years.  A private Celebration of Life will be held at a later date.  In lieu of flowers, it is requested that memorials be made to Lindley Park Baptist Church, 4010 Walker Ave or Reading Connections of Greensboro, 122 N Elm St #920, Greensboro, NC 27401.