Martha Groover Staples

Martha Groover Staples, age 85, (March 4, 1928) of Winter Park passed away on August 28, 2013 in Gainesville, Florida of cancer. Martha passed away a few hours after being told of the birth of her first great granddaughter, Miriam Augustine Bunn. Martha was born in Bibb County (Macon), Georgia to Thomas Denmark Groover and Martha Newton Groover. She graduated from Miller High School, Macon, Ga, attended the University of Georgia and graduated from Wesleyan College (Macon, Ga). She was a member of Phi Mu Sorority at the University of Georgia. She received her Masters of Education in Library Science at the University of South Florida (Tampa). She was a member of the Junior League of Greater Orlando as well as a member of the National Society of the Colonial Dames of America in the State of Florida. Martha worked for the Orange County Library System for 28 years and was well know for her story hours, which she often gave with hand puppets. Martha centered her life on her family and was a loving wife and nurturing mother and grandmother. Her daughter, Miriam Staples Kersey, and husband, James Courtenay Staples, preceded her in death. She is survived by her son, Dr. Edward Denmark Staples (Nancy) of Gainesville, son-in-law, James Walter Kersey of Orlando and seven grandchildren and one great grandchild; grandsons Alexander James Kersey (Ashley) and Thomas Graham Kersey both of Orlando, Addison Denmark Staples (Tracy) of Gainesville, Fl; granddaughters, Courtenay Staples Bunn (Phillip) of Forsyth, Ga, Mary Gabriellen Staples, Alicia Carden Staples, and Jennifer Carter Staples all of Gainesville, Fl.; great-granddaughter, Miriam Augustine Bunn of Forsyth, Ga. A family graveside service will be planned with burial in Dighton, Massachusetts. Friends and family are invited to visit from 4:00 to 6:00 P.M. Sunday, September 29, 2013 at Winter Park Towers, 1111 S. Lakemont Avenue, Winter Park, Florida 32792. In lieu of flowers, donations maybe made to the Orlando Museum of Art designated for Miriam's Garden, 2416 North Mills Avenue, Orlando, Florida 32803.