Joe N. "Brotha" Staggers

Feb. 19, 1952 - June 22, 2013 SOUTH BEND - Mr. Joe Nolden Staggers, Jr., of West Memphis, Arkansas went home to be with his Savior. Joe was lovingly known as "Boogasuga" to his wife, Lady B. Staggers, and to his family and friends as "Brotha". Brotha was born to Joe, Sr. and Birdia Mae McFadden Staggers on February 19, 1952 in South Bend, Indiana.

Joe was educated through the South Bend Community Schools. Brotha was a member of the Riley High School track team and was pictured in the South Bend Tribune after winning the state competition. On June 16, 1969, Joe entered the United States Marine Corps. While in the service, he successfully completed his GED and received a Good Conduct Medal in May of 1971.

On June 19, 2004, Brotha married the love and joy of his life, Ms. Lady B. McKenzie. Before Lady could say "I do", Kanysha McKenzie said "I do" and Brotha said "I do" and kissed her before continuing. Lady and Joe shared wonderful times traveling across the country and especially enjoyed their visits back to South Bend to visit friends and family. Brotha leaves to cherish his memory, along with his wife, a stepdaughter, Kieunna McKenzie and a stepson, Leonard Antwyne McKenzie, III; two sisters, Evelyn Jean Akin (husband John, deceased) of Indianapolis, Indiana and Helene Denise Thomas (husband Ira, deceased) of South Bend; brothers, Charles Edward Staggers, Sr. (wife Mae) and Pastor Ronald L. Staggers, Sr. (wife Kimberly); his mother-in-law, Lady B. Jemison of West Memphis, Arkansas and Wilma Kelly (he called Momma) of West Memphis, Arkansas; two grandchildren, Kanysha McKenzie and Aquon (Trip) McKenzie; three aunts, Katy Hill (Gary) of Jacksonville, Arkansas and Lois Staggers and Ruth Chester both of South Bend.

Brotha had too many nieces and nephews to list (he loved every one of them equally) but took the credit for raising and called Elayna and Towanna Malone, David (Pooh) Coleman, Jr. and Damien Coleman, Sr., his children, along with his cousins, in-laws and many special friends. Brotha was preceded in death by his parents; nephew, Leman; father-in-law, Humphrey Jemison; a brother-in-law, Farris Jemison; and two cousins, Freddy McFadden and Landris McFadden.

Brotha was known for his joking around; little Jonny Joke and all around sense of humor. To know him was to love and laugh with him.

Memorial Services for Joe Nolden Staggers, Jr. will be held on Saturday, July 29th, at 1:00 p.m. at Greater New Harvest Church, 1826 Carolina Street, South Bend.

Published by South Bend Tribune on Jun. 28, 2013.

08/12/2023 EJS