Allen Staggs

Published Monday August 22, 2005

Allen Gray Staggs, 86, of Batesville died Friday, Aug. 19, 2005, in Batesville.

Born Feb. 16, 1919 in Cave City, he was the son of Franklin Andrew Staggs and Mary Etta Gray Staggs. He was a retired Air Force Major and was of the Methodist faith.

He was inducted in the U.S. Army in 1940 and served in Alaska and later the Army Air Corp in World War II and flew 28 combat missions over Germany as a pilot of a B-24 bomber. He worked for the National Aeronautics and Space Administration at Cape Canaveral, Fla., now know as the Kennedy Space Center. He was a member of Mount Zion Lodge number 10 Ancient Free and Accepted Masons and was a 32nd degree Mason. He was a member of the American Legion and Veterans of Foreign Wars.

Survivors include his wife, Irene Price Staggs; two step-sons, Gary Rowe of Maumelle and Keith Rowe of Hot Springs; and several nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents; seven brothers, Kenneth Staggs, Paul Staggs, Herman Staggs, Elisha Staggs, Coy Staggs, Bill "Willie" Staggs and Lorenzo Staggs; and two sisters Edna Staggs Dickey and Norma E. Staggs Manuel.

The funeral was at 10 a.m. today at Roller-Crouch Funeral Home Chapel with the Rev. Jimmy Staggs officiating. Burial was at 3 p.m. today at Forest Hills Memorial Park near Alexander.

Pallbearers were James Staggs, Kenneth Manuel, Ronnie Manuel, Raymond Staggs, Franklin Dickey and Henry Staggs.

Honorary pallbearers were Charlie Willis, Troy Milligan, Dr. Dennis Davidson, L.D. Finishter, Tommy Manuel and Jerry Staggs.

To sign the online guest book, visit www.rollerfuneralhomes.com/Batesville .