Raymond Earl Staton, 81, of Buena Vista, went to be with the Lord Wednesday, May 23, 2007.

He was born November 20, 1925 in Amherst County, a son of the late John Alfred Staton and Georgia Ann Wheeler Staton.

He was a member of the Victory Baptist Church, was a World War II Army veteran, and was a member of the American Legion Post 126.

He is survived by his wife, Clara McGown Staton; two daughters: Wanda S. Seaman and husband, Clarence; and Brenda Faye Snider and husband, Orie, all of Buena Vista; three sons: Raymond Dean Staton and wife, Tina of Buena Vista; Fred Alvin Staton and wife, Val of Michigan; and Darrell Blane Staton and wife, Reesie of Buena Vista; a sister, Nellie Broughman of Hot Springs; a brother, John W. Staton of Lexington; 11 grandchildren and four great grandchildren.

Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. Saturday, May 26, 2007 at the Victory Baptist Church with the Rev. Larry Witt and the Rev. Chris Becker officiating. Burial will follow in the Rockbridge Memorial Gardens. In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorial contributions be made to the Victory Baptist Church. The family will receive friends from 6 t 8 p.m. on Friday, May 25, 2007 at the Victory Baptist Church.

Arrangements are being handled by the Bolling, Grose & Lotts Funeral Home & Cremation Service, Buena Vista.