PALLBEARERS 
Deacons of New Hope Baptist Church 
ACKNOWLEDGMENT 
The family wishes to express their sincere gratitude for the many kind expressions of sympathy received during this period of bereavement in the loss of our loved one. 
Life Is Eternal 
"Life is Eternal" the good Lord said, So do not think of your loved one as dead; 
for death is only a stepping stone, to a beautiful life we have never known. A place where God promised man he would be, 
Eternally happy and safe and free; A wonderful land where we live anew, When our journey on earth is over and through. So trust in God and doubt Him never, 
For all who love Him live forever; And while we cannot understand, Just let the Savior take your hand; For when death's angel comes to call, "God is so great and we're so small... " And there is nothing you need fear, For faith in God makes all things clear. 
 
Jlfor 
~r. Irutsf ~htftu, ~r. 
FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 14, 1997 12:00 NOON 
NEW HOPE MISSIONARY BAPTIST CHURCH REV. J. C. CARTER, OFFICIATING INTERMENT WOODLAWN MEMORIAL PARK 
 
 OBITUARY 
Ernest Staten, Jr. was born May 30, 1927 to the parentage of the late Ernest Staten, Sr. and Lillian H. Staten. Stepmother, Theresa J. Staten. He was baptized at New Hope Baptist Church at an early age where he later served on the Deacon Board. 
He attended St. Peter Claver Catholic School and Ballard Normal High School and the University of GA. He was an instructor at Burke County Vocational Tech, Northeast High School Vocational Tech Department, Macon Area Vocational Tech and retired from Baldwin County Vocational Tech. 
He was a veteran of the U. S. Navy. He was devoted to his family and friends. 
Ernest is survived by: his wife, Sophronia L. Staten; his children, Ernest Staten, III, Lillian S. Dumas, Bernard Staten, Dennis L. Staten, Sharon S. Waller, Denise Staten, Pamela S. Brown, Cassandra S . Ward and Patricia Staten; a brother, Roland A. Tuff; sister, Theresa T. Watkins; three daughters-in-law, Joann H. Staten, Carolyn S. Staten, Debra K. Staten; four sonsin-law, Coleman Dumas, Jr., the late Joseph Waller, Jeffery B. Brown and Charles E. Ward; seventeen grandchildren; six great grandchildren; and a host of relatives and friends. 
PSALMS23 
The Lord is my Shepherd, I shall not want. He maketh me to lie down in green pastures; He leadeth me beside the still waters. He restoreth my soul; He leadeth me in the paths ofrighteousness for His name's sake. Yea, though I walk through the valley ofthe shadow ofdeath, I will fear no evil, for thou art with me; Thy rod and thy staff they comfort me. Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies; Thou anointest my head with oil; my cup runneth over. 
Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life; and I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever. 
 
ORDER OF SERVICE 
Processional Song ............................................................................ Choir Prayer ................................................ Rev. Curtis Raines 
New Pilgrim Missionary Baptist Church 
Scripture Old Testament ....................................... Rev. Oscar Hall 
Bethel C.M.E. Church New Testament ................................. Rev. W. C. Barnes 
New Hope Baptist Church Obituary ...................................................... Read Silently Song ............................................................................ Choir Eulogy .................................................. Rev. J. C. Carter Recessional Interment .............................. Woodlawn Memorial Park 
The family will receive friends after the service at the church.