Leo Riley "Sonny" Staggs

SAREPTA, LA- Funeral services for Mr. Leo Riley "Sonny" Staggs, age 84, will be held at 10:00 A.M., Tuesday, July 29, 2008 at the Kings Corner Assembly of God with Rev. Jeff Manuel and Rev. Mike Richardson officiating. Burial will be in the Old Sarepta Cemetery under the direction of Bailey Mortuary, Springhill, LA.

Leo Riley "Sonny" Staggs, a lifelong resident of this area, died Thursday, July 25, 2008 in Shreveport, after a brief illness. He was born on July 22, 1924 to James Rush and Leola Basinger Staggs in Sarepta, LA. After his mother died, along with his twin brother, Leon Rush Staggs, in childbirth, he was raised by his maternal grandparents, James Frank and Maggie Ola Bullock Basinger.

Mr. Staggs was proud to have served his country during World War II in the US Army and was stationed at New Guinea. After returning from the war, he was employed with Armco Steel for more than 30 years.

He is survived by his loving wife of 62 years, Nell Morgan Staggs of Sarepta; daughter, Shirley Giddings and husband, Charles of Sarepta; grandchildren, whom he raised, Randall and Heather Alfred of Sarepta, Colette Alfred-Sikes and Jody Sikes of Minden and Chuck Warford of Sarepta; great-grandchildren, Cameron, Presley, Kielerr and Chastan Alfred, all of Sarepta. Additional survivors are his sisters, Joyce Basinger Boyett of Shreveport and Carolyn Basinger Palmer and husband, Harold of Sarepta; brothers, Jimmy Basinger and wife, Dot of Conway, AR, Carl Basinger of Springhill, LA, Bill Basinger and wife, Clara of Trinity, TX and Eugene Basinger and wife, Ellawease of West Memphis, AR.

Though it breaks our hearts to lose him, we know that he will be preparing our next happy home in Heaven. He'll forever be remembered for his wonderful stories, laid back personality and those baby blue eyes.

Please join us for visitation on Monday, July 28 at Bailey Mortuary from 5:00 to 9:00 p.m. Bailey Mortuary, Inc.

Springhill, La (318) 539-3555

http://legacy.southtownstar.com/ShreveportTimes/Obituaries.asp?Page=Notice&PersonID=114231804

2008 Basinger Reunion

Basinger reunion held
Contributed by Press-Herald Staff
Friday, 11 July 2008

The family of the late Maggie Ola Bullock and James Frank Basinger, Sr. gathered on Saturday, May 24, 2008 for their
annual family reunion at the Sarepta Community Building in Sarepta.
Five of the seven living Basinger children were in attendance—Leo Riley “Sonny” Staggs, Bill
Basinger, Sr., Joyce Basinger Boyett, Eugene Basinger, Sr. and Carolyn Basinger Palmer. James “Jimmy”
Frank Basinger, Jr., and Carl Bassinger, Sr., were not able to attend this year.
Nearly thirty family members who wanted to spend the weekend together stayed at Bass Haven Lodge in Taylor, Ark. On
Friday evening, Jody Sikes and Chuck Warford prepared hamburgers and hot dogs for everyone. The children enjoyed
swimming, fishing, playing games and eating watermelon. The adults had a great time reminiscing, playing cards and
laughing. Supper on Saturday was brisket and loaded baked potatoes prepared by Tony and Gretchen Boyett.
The family of the late Maggie Ola Bullock and James Frank Basinger, Sr. gathered on Saturday, May 24, 2008 for their
annual family reunion at the Sarepta Community Building in Sarepta.
Five of the seven living Basinger children were in attendance—Leo Riley “Sonny” Staggs, Bill
Basinger, Sr., Joyce Basinger Boyett, Eugene Basinger, Sr. and Carolyn Basinger Palmer. James “Jimmy”
Frank Basinger, Jr., and Carl Bassinger, Sr., were not able to attend this year.
Nearly thirty family members who wanted to spend the weekend together stayed at Bass Haven Lodge in Taylor, Ark. On
Friday evening, Jody Sikes and Chuck Warford prepared hamburgers and hot dogs for everyone. The children enjoyed
swimming, fishing, playing games and eating watermelon. The adults had a great time reminiscing, playing cards and
laughing. Supper on Saturday was brisket and loaded baked potatoes prepared by Tony and Gretchen Boyett.
On Saturday morning, Colette Alfred-Sikes welcomed 93 family members and friends who arrived at the Sarepta
Community Building. Those in attendance decided to make a donation to the Old Sarepta Cemetery Fund. Grandma and
Grandpa Basinger also surprised Colette and Jody Sikes with a cash housewarming gift that the family had collected.
Colette was very touched by the thoughtfulness of everyone.
Tony Boyett asked the blessing before the delicious lunch was served. An abundance of meats, casseroles, vegetables
and desserts were available.
Enjoying the day were the following:
Leola Basinger Staggs Family: Sonny and Vernell Staggs, Shirley Giddings, Randall, Heather, Cameron, Presley, Kielerr
Alfred and Chuck Warford, all of Sarepta; Colette and Jody Sikes of Minden, Harold Gene and Virginia Morgan of Taylor,
Arkansas.
James Thomas Basinger Family: Rose Mary and Ben Bailey of Springhill; Julie Hefner and Glenn Crumpler of Cotton
Valley; James, Malisa, Dalton, Kiersten and Emily Gosvenor of Cambden, Arkansas.
Florence Basinger Morgan Family: Ludy Williams of Dubberly; Jodi, Charlie, Colby and Blaire Boykin of Sarepta.
Murphie Basinger Family: Juanita Coffee, Karen and Dub Stephens of Springhill; Ted “Bo”, Tammy and
Ethan Bright of Detroit, Texas.
Nolan Basinger Family: Marilyn Cole, Rita Faye and Johnny Flores, LaShae’ Gunnels, Tori and Gabi Bradford, all
of Springhill; Christy Lloyd of Sarepta; Laura and Tracy Bramlett, Reiny Shoumaker, all of Cotton Valley; Teresa and Pat
Gunnels of Taylor, Arkansas.
Marjorie Basinger Burks Family: Darlene Boyett, and Cabot of Arkansas; Cindy and Julia Shands of Searcy, Arkansas.
Carl Bassinger, Sr. Family: Carl “Jay” and Felicia Bassinger of Springhill; friends Jerry Merritt, Jennifer and
Angel Turner.
Bill Basinger, Sr. Family: Bill and Clara Basinger of Trinity, Texas.
Joyce Basinger Boyett Family: Joyce Boyett, Debbie Loesch, Tasha, Brandon and Erin Henley, Susan Gentry, Trey,
Chanell, Damein and Devin Beckman, all of Shreveport; Jenny, Tim, Kameron Navarre, Kelsie Smith and friend Valerie
Graves, all of Bossier City; Tony, Gretchen, Gavin and Taylor Boyett from Buda, Texas.
Gene Basinger Sr. Family: Gene and Ellawease Basinger of West Memphis, Arkansas; Butch Basinger and Norphlet
from Arkansas; Gary Don, Leigh Ann, Braxton and Braden Basinger from Nesbit, Mississippi.
Carolyn Basinger Palmer Family: Caroyln Palmer, Paula Tripp and friend Wendell Wright, all of Sarepta; Claire and
Brayden Tripp of Mississippi; Jaclyn Shaun, Miles and Preston Lewis of Minden; Tiffany and Josh Byram of New
Orleans.
Eugene Basinger Family (brother of James Frank, Sr.): Leta Leshe of Shreveport.
The Basinger family will gather again on May 23, 2009, at the Sarepta Community Building for the next reunion. All
friends and family are invited to attend. Information can be obtained by calling Colette Alfred-Sikes at 318-464-0039.
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