Sarah Francis Staggs Kingsley, 82, of Lake Charles passed away surrounded by her family on Tuesday, Oct. 18, 2022 in a local hospital.
Mrs. Kingsley was born on July 5, 1940, in Hickory Plains, Ark. She graduated high school in Jacksonville, Ark., where she met the love of her life, Terry “Moose” Kingsley, and married him. Moose received orders from the military to be stationed in Lake Charles at Chennault Air Force Base and the couple moved here in 1958. Mrs. Kingsley retired in 2000 as a cafeteria manager for the Calcasieu Parish School Board after 25 years of service. Following her retirement, she worked another 14 years at the Nelson Elementary daycare. She was a member of Trinity Baptist Church.
Sarah Kingsley’s heart was big like her family and if you knew her you were always entertained and touched by her sense of humor and genuine kindness. She was feisty at times and that was part of her charm. This strength and toughness helped her to raise five sons and lovingly support her daughters-in-law, grandchildren and great-grandchildren. She maintained grace and dignity in all she did. She was one of a kind and although our world will be different without her, we are each part of who we are because of her.
Those left to cherish her memory are her five sons, who she was very proud of, Tony Kingsley (Stephanie), Jerry Kingsley (Suzie), Bill Kingsley (Kim), Eddy Kingsley (Sifah), and Sam Kingsley (Christi), all of Lake Charles; grandchildren, Justin Kingsley (Chelsey), Alex Kingsley, Jared Kingsley, Brittany Hess (Kyle), Justin Kingsley (Aphra), Payton Baum (Drew), Evan Kingsley (Mary), Bryce Kingsley (Kaitlyn), Jessica Crader (Randell), Andrew Kingsley, Jacob Kingsley, Julia Kingsley, and Baylor Kingsley; and 19 great-grandchildren; and two on the way. She is also survived by a sister-in-law, Billie Staggs; and a nephew, Bucky Staggs, both of Dallas, Texas.
She was preceded in death by her husband of 34 years, Terry “Moose” Kingsley; parents, Cleo and Jessie Staggs; brother, Franklin Staggs; one great-grandchild, Hannah Hess; and very best friend, Louellan Keeney.
The family wishes to express their sincere gratitude to Dr. Gary Kohler, his nurse, Peggy Ward, and Dr. Carl Nabours for their exceptional care and compassion given to Mrs. Kingsley.
Funeral service will be held at 2:30 p.m. on Friday, Oct. 21, 2022, in the Johnson Funeral Home chapel. The Rev. Keith Cating will officiate. Burial will follow in Consolata Cemetery. Visitation will begin at 10 a.m. until the start of the service.
Words of comfort to the family may be expressed at www.johnsonfuneralhome.net.