Samuel Baxter Stapleton

S. Baxter Stapleton of Greensboro, NC died on Saturday, February 11, 2017. He was born in Greensboro on December 24, 1923 to the late Samuel B. Stapleton and Lillie M. Stapleton. He attended Greensboro Public Schools and graduated from Greensboro High School in 1941. He served as a Staff Sergeant with the Army 114th AAA Gun Battalion in North Africa and Europe in World War II and later as a First Lieutenant in the Air Force Reserves. Upon leaving the military, he attended UNC-Chapel Hill and later left to work for Western Electric in NC and NY. He worked for American Express for 2 years and then returned to Western Electric in 1950. He returned to Greensboro in 1951 and met his wife Ann Edwards Stapleton, to whom he has been married since 1953. He graduated from Guilford College in 1956 and was one of the first 3 students to receive his degree from the continuing education program there. Baxter worked for Western Electric in NC, NJ, and NY for 32 years in various supervisory positions, and at the time of his retirement was Manager of Government and International System Procurement. After his retirement from Western Electric, Baxter worked for ten years with Jefferson-Pilot and First American Title Insurance Companies, as well as working as a tax consultant with H&R Block. While his children were growing up in NJ, Baxter enjoyed working with the Boy Scouts and served as a troop leader. Among his favorite social pastimes was ballroom dancing. He enjoyed providing music for his dancing friends and served as music director for several local dance clubs in Greensboro. He held positions on the Executive Boards of these clubs and in 1992, he was recognized by the Parks and Recreation Department as Greensboro's Senior of the Month, in recognition of his work with the Greensboro Social Club. At the time of his death, he was a member of Lindley Park Baptist Church and a resident of Tower Glen community, where he had formerly served as a board member, finance committee member, and pool director. Baxter is survived by his wife of 63 years, Ann Edwards Stapleton; daughter Carol Allen and husband Ed of Greensboro; daughter Dr. Amy Stapleton of Stuart, FL; son R. Bruce Stapleton and wife Priscilla of Centerville, OH. Also surviving are 5 grandchildren: Stacey Allen, Michelle Renfro (husband Lee), R. Baxter Stapleton, S. Alexander Stapleton, and Christine Stapleton. There are also 3 great-grandchildren: Gabriel, Eliana, and Joshua Renfro. A special thank you to Dr. James Granfortuna and Dr. William McKeown, his doctors for his long term health care. Also thank you to Hospice and Palliative Care of Greensboro, especially Maura Barber, Dr. Feldmann, and Molly Lyle for his care during his last years. A Celebration of Life will be held at Lindley Park Baptist Church, 4010 Walker Ave, Greensboro, NC on Saturday, February 18 at 2 PM, with family time immediately following the service. In lieu of flowers, it is requested that memorials be made to Lindley Park Baptist Church or Hospice and Palliative Care of Greensboro, 2500 Summit Ave., Greensboro, NC 27405. Lambeth-Troxler Funeral & Cremation Service is assisting the family. Online condolences can be made at www.lambethtroxler.com.