The Roanoke times. [volume] (Roanoke, Va.) 1890-1895, 1892-01-17
IN nIEnIORlAaf.

I'd
Mrs. Caroline Harris Staples died at
the residence OF her eldest son, Daniel
d. Staples, in Roanoke city, on January
| /, 1897. She was about 50 years old,
| and was born in Caroline county, Vir-
| GINA. Her father, Daniel De Jarnette,
| was q man of prominence, and in his
day, one Of the ATHEIST in the county,
and her mother, Huldah Coleman, he
longed to q family well-known in East
ern Virginia for culture, refinement
and more than ordinary vigor of mind.
Mrs. Staples was reared in af1luence
and with the highest educational ad
vantages the State could afford, and
was thoroughly imbued with refine
ment and love of hospitality, which
were striking traits of her character in
after years. Her brother, Daniel G.
De Jarnette, for q number of years rep.
resented the Richmond district in the
United States Congress and in the Con-
federate Congress. In the year Of 1855,
Mrs. Staples was married to Samuel q.
Staples, then member of the legisla-
ture from Patrick county, and subse-
quently for twelve years Judge of tho
county court of that county
At the time of the marriage Judge
Staples was prominent in State affairs
| and held leading position, politically
and socially, in his own county. They
resided at the old Staples homestead at
Patrick Court House, where for more
than one generation an unstinted hospi-
tality had bern lavished upon all
corners. She at once assumed the now
duties which were devolved upon her.
AS a hostess, few ladies in Virginia
surpassed her. She possessed in an
eminent degree that affability of man
ner, quickness of perception and in
I'm tnc tfrh tn hn TO %
guests which made them feel always
welcome and always at home. Her mind
was unusually clear and vigorous, and
was we'll stored with history and general
literature. Books and periodicals were
her constant companions when moro
pressing duties did not otherwise COM
mand her attention. She was q fine
conversationalist and the delight of q
large social circle. Nothing delighted
her more than to have her home filed
wi young persons of either sex where
for weeks they would feel perfectly as
sured that in enjoying themselves they
conferred the greatest pleasure upon
her.
One of the most beautiful traits in her
character was her uniform kindness to
the poor. No one seeking charity was
turned empty-handed from, her door.
The disasters of the war brought upon
her husband, as it did upon many others,
the wreck and ruin of fine estate, but
there are many in the old county of
Patrick, who, in reading this brief trib-
ute to her memory, will first know Of
her death, and will recall the unvarying
kindness which she for years dispensed
to those who sought aid at her hands.
They who give to the poor lend to the
Lord. and her friends may now rest as
sure that no good deed which she did
will go without its reward.
Another characteristic which will be
remembered by all who knew her was
he. absolute dedication of herself to her
children. No mother was ever more
forgetful of herself in her devotion to
them. who, though men and women
now, never ceased to be children to her.
She left surviving. her husband, four
sons: Daniel, Abram p, DR.. Saul g..
and Walter Staples, and two daughters,
Mrs. Il. Moir and Miss Callie Staples.
In early life she connected herself with
the Christian or Campbellite Church,
but after her marriage she became a
Methodist, and remained a consisteno
member until her death came and ended
her physical sufferings, which had made
her an invalid for moro than fifteen
years. T.
Roanoke, Va, Jan. 10, 1892.