Esther E. Staats

BiographyEsther Eileen Staats was born on May 15, 1938 on the family farm in Mitchellville, Maryland to John Clayton and Bessie Beall as the 6th of 10 children. Living on a farm, she along with her parents, brothers and sisters raised Tobacco (or as she commonly referred to it, ‘Tobacca’. She was a good ole’ country gal. Esther attended Frederick Sasscer High School in Upper Marlboro, Maryland where she graduated in 1957. In her senior yearbook, she noted her ambition for the future was to become a ‘typist’ and that her nick-name was ‘Giggles’.Shortly after graduating high school, Esther met her future husband Allen Staats from Seat Pleasant, Maryland and after getting married they moved into their first home in Maryland Park. Esther and Allen had four daughters: Frannie, Dianne, Paula, and Darlene. In 1966 the family moved to their long time home in Bowie and Esther began working at Rips, where she worked for over 30 years as a waitress while raising their girls. In 1996, Esther began her career with Prince Georges County Public Schools as a bus-aide for special needs students where she worked until the last day of school this June.On Esther’s 49th birthday, her first grandchild Patrick was born and she couldn’t have been any more proud. Three months later in August of 1987, Esther’s second Grandson, Chris was born and she immediately became a natural at being a ‘Mee-Maw’. Three years later, Pamela was born, followed by Alex, Heather, Kristi, Paige, and Jackie and her heart was full. Esther and Allen loved spending time with their grandchildren and in fact, they babysat most of them well into their late childhood years. In particular, she continued to help take care of her Grandson Patrick after school each day up until last week. Esther and Allen enjoyed playing Bingo, slots, the lottery, going out to dinner and of course, spending time with the children and grandchildren.In January of 2014, Esther and Allen lost their first daughter Frannie to an aggressive form of cancer and just five months later Allen passed away, also from cancer. Esther was heartbroken and missed Frannie and Allen very much. In early June of 2016, Esther was told that her aortic valve was severely damaged and that it required open heart surgery. Esther had the surgery on July 12 and due to complications was transferred to University of Maryland Shock Trauma where she passed away on July 18, 2016.Up until her passing, Esther thoroughly enjoyed her almost nightly visits to the ‘Exxon’ station where she enjoyed playing the ‘horse races’ and the lottery. She also enjoyed “field” trips to Dover and Perryville with her daughters Dianne, Paula, son-in-law, Tony, her granddaughter, Pamela and her husband, Chris, where she could play slots, and her weekly Sunday visits to the cemetery followed by breakfast with her grandson, Chris.  Esther had a heart of gold, would talk to almost anyone, and would give you the shirt off of her back if needed. She was one in a million for sure and will be greatly missed.Obituary: STAATS, ESTHER E. of Bowie, MD passed away peacefully on July 18, 2016 surrounded by her loving family. Beloved wife of 54 years to the late Allen Staats. Loving mother to Dianne (Tony) Stettler, Paula (Pat) Wood, Darlene (Jeff) Hannigan and the late Fran (John) Grondalski. Proud Mee-Maw to Patrick Wood, Chris Grondalski, Pamela Merkel, Alex Batchelor, Heather Grondalski, Kristi Batchelor, Paige Wood and Jackie Batchelor. Sister of Catherine DeVaughn, Elwood Beall, Gloria Nutwell, and Patricia Cook. She is preceded in death by her parents, John Clayton and Bessie Beall; siblings, Junior Beall, Agnes Robbins, Martha Mease, Ida Jones and Joseph Beall. Family and friends may come to call on Monday July 25, 2016 from 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 p.m. at the family-owned BEALL FUNERAL HOME, 6512 NW Crain Highway (Rt. 3 South), Bowie, MD where a funeral service will be held on Tuesday July 26, 2016. Interment Gate of Heaven Cemetery in Silver Spring, MD. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Autism Society of America at 4340 East West HWY. Suite 350 Bethesda, MD 20814 or by visiting www.autism society.org