Matthew "Mack" Staley was born on November 13, 1925, to the late Ella Holmes Staley and Paul Staley Sr., in Wagener, South Carolina. He was educated in the Aiken County School systems, and received the equivalent of a sixth grade education. Instead of pitying himself, he chose to learn from his life experiences and from studying the Word of God, and was blessed with the wisdom and knowledge he did not obtain from his formal education. As a young man, Matthew Staley joined and became an active member of Friendship Missionary Baptist Church. However, the God-given calling and anointing placed on his life led him into his ministry of spreading the good news to both unbelievers and saints alike. Reverend Staley assumed the Pastoral leadership of Lotts Grove Baptist Church in Johnston, SC, for several years. He later became the Pastor of Mount Hebron Baptist Church of Edmund, SC, where he served and tended his flock faithfully for 41 years. Following God's leading, he also diligently served as a moderator of the Cedar Branch Association. In 2012, God blessed and publicly honored Reverend Staley's faithfulness in shepherding his flock for over 40 years when he received the Black Heritage Award. Even during one of his favorite pastimes, he still ministered the gospel throughout the CRSA as a lifelong member of the Original Staley Brothers, a quartet gospel group. His purpose complete and his destiny fulfilled, Reverend Staley was embraced in to the waiting arms of His Heavenly Father on June 14, 2013. He was preceded in death by his parents, eight brothers, and four sisters. He is survived by his beloved wife of 57 years, Gwendolyn Staley of the home in Wagener, SC; children: Maxine (David) Wright of Bath, SC; Alvin (Francis) Staley of Batesburg-Leesville, SC; Bishop Dr. Michael (Regina) Staley of Aiken, SC; Paul (Terri) Staley of Chesapeake, VA; Elaine Staley of the home; Terrell (Ann) Staley of Baton Rouge, LA; and Dowana (Adrian) Woodson of Atlanta, GA; one brother: John (Annie Mae) Staley of Queens, New York; one special sister-in-law: Myrtis Wooden Staley of Beach Island, SC; several of other brother and sister-in laws, 13 grandchildren, 5 great-grandchildren, and a host of nieces, nephews, other loving relatives and caring friends.

Service Information

VISITATION The family of the late Reverend Matthew Staley will be accepting friends at the J.H. Robinson Funeral Home, 190 Railroad Ave., Wagener, SC 29164 on Tuesday June 18,2013 between the hours of 3 and 7 pm. FUNERAL SERVICES Homegoing services for the Late Reverend Matthew Staley will be held on Wednesday, June 19, 2013 1:00pm at Friendship Baptist Church, 194 Green Acres Road, Salley SC. Final viewing will begin at the church at 12:00 Noon and last until the start of services. Reverend Henry Cook will be officiating, and Reverend Haskell Staley will be presiding over the services.