Karen Dianne Staley

Karen Dianne Staley, 76, died at home on August 7, 2025, in Zellwood, Florida. Her memorial services will be held Saturday, September 20, 2025, at the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 610 Martin Street, Apopka, FL 32712. A family prayer meeting will be held at 10:00 a.m. with memorial services at 10:30 a.m. She is survived by her husband of 57 years, J. Richard Staley; her brothers Robert Jay Mitchem and Gary Michael Mitchem; and her eight children: Anne McNinch and husband Robert McNinch; Joel Staley and wife Kellie Staley; Tyler Staley and wife Christian “Denie” Staley; Jacob Staley and wife Bobbie Staley, Mary Montgomery and husband Ben Montgomery; Erin Staley; Brent Staley and wife Brittany; and Spencer Staley. She also is survived by 22 grandchildren and 16 great grandchildren. She is preceded in death by her parents Robert J. Mitchem and Betty Lou Mitchem, and her sister, Cheryl Kay Hancock.

Karen was born Aug.17, 1948, in Orlando, Florida, the first of four children and the sixth generation of her family to live in the Sunshine State. She spent her childhood and teenage years in Orlando and attended Lake Como Elementary and Evans High School (7-12). She graduated from Evans in 1966. As a child she showed talent in art, dancing, and singing. She loved attending church. She even attended early morning religion classes before high school which strengthened her faith. She often invited school friends to accompany her to church meetings and activities.

Karen entered Brigham Young University (BYU) in Provo, Utah, in the fall of 1966. Two dear friends from high school were her roommates – Melanie Warren Ambs and Roxanna Lock-Smith Boyer – in Deseret Towers. Karen pursued a degree in English literature. She thrived in the faith-filled atmosphere and endured the snow-filled winters. There she began dating Richard Staley. They were introduced by Richard’s cousin, Genean Hawkins McKinnon, upon his return from a two-year mission in France for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. They fell in love and were married for time and all eternity on June 1, 1968, in the church’s temple in Manti, Utah.

Karen left her studies and returned to Florida where Richard graduated from the University of Central Florida in 1970 and the University of Florida Law School in 1973. Karen gave birth to their first three children during these hectic years. After law school, they settled in DeLand about 40 miles northeast of Orlando. More children came along, and by 1985 they had a total of eight. Karen repeatedly said her children were the greatest accomplishment of her life. She instilled in them her deep and abiding love of Jesus Christ and His gospel. She deliberately lived her life so as to maintain the constant companionship of the Holy Spirit. She depended on its guidance for raising her children and all other decisions.

In addition to being a mother, Karen made time to serve in church leadership positions such as president of the Relief Society (org. for women ages 18 and older), counselor to the president of the Primary (org. for children ages 3 – 11), and president of the Young Women organization (young women ages 12 – 18). Her service was marked with great kindness and empathy for others; she always placed others’ feelings and needs before her own. She enjoyed using her talent for arts and crafts to enhance her church service.

1n 1991, Richard changed careers and the family relocated to Orem, Utah. Since her youngest had entered school, Karen returned to the workforce to help support the family. She worked in various administrative assistant positions, but her favorite was as assistant to the dean of the BYU Ira A. Fulton College of Engineering. In 2001, they returned to Florida due to Karen’s desire to be closer to her aging parents. She spent the remainder of her years in the Orlando area.

She was known as Nana to her grandchildren and great grandchildren. She loved reading books to them and teaching them songs she learned from her grandmother: “Hush Little Baby,” “Wee Baby Moon,” “Animal Fair,” and “Mairzy Doats.” One of her daughters-in-law nicknamed her the “baby charmer”, as infants and young children frequently dried tears and found smiles under the spell of her soothing embrace.

She helped those down on their luck with no thought of reward. She was known for exceeding kindness by friends and all who made her acquaintance. She was incredibly patient and tolerant, unless you threatened or insulted her children. She was never profane or impolite but could be clear and cool if she sensed abuse. She frequently reminded her children that Jesus was full of grace and truth, which meant they should be kind and honest. She was a shining example of those qualities. Despite her reserved and modest manner, she was a light on a hill that could not be hid. She will be missed dearly by her family and friends.

Karen’s Family

The sweetest thought that e’er could be;

A vision of my family.

Their happy faces gathered round,

To them my heart’s eternal bound.

Their memory stirs such joy within,

‘Tis heavenly to be their kin.

Richard, husband, best friend too;

Obligingly, I journ with you.

Daughter, Anne, of countenance fair –

Yet fairer in her talent there.

Her brother, Joel, intelligent, strong,

A leader soon, twill not be long.

Steadfast Tyler, apparently,

Is nurturing integrity.

Jacob is brave, friend to all,

Reminds us oft, no person’s small.

Mary notices everything,

We depend on her for remembering.

Erin was sent to lighten our days,

With her giggles, song and gentle ways.

Little Brent you keep us going,

Your lessons dear, our patience growing.

Baby Spencer fits just right

His love’s our balm, a pure delight.

Each one so different, yet the same.

All part of an eternal chain.

Linked to God’s great family.

Ah, blessed me to be sealed to thee.

- Karen Staley, 1985