May 1, 1936 – March 17, 2017
Ora Lee Staten was born to the union of Reverend Alton B. Staten and Sister Haru Butler Staten on May 1, 1936. Ora Lee received Christ at an early age, and was baptized at Walnut Grove Baptist Church in Carthage Texas.
Ora Lee attended school in Carthage, Texas, where she was the valedictorian of her high school class. After graduating high school, she attended Butler College where she studied accounting. While in college, Ora Lee met Paris Kimbrough, Sr., whom she would later marry on July 13, 1955. Four children were born to this union, Paris Kimbrough, Jr., Sherri Charleston, Gerald Kimbrough (deceased) and Lisa Kimbrough. Once married, Ora Lee and Paris moved to Renton, Washington. After arrival in Washington, Ora Lee enrolled and graduated from the Northwest Intermediate Banking School at Lewis and Clark University in Portland, Oregon. Additionally, during that time, she was chairwoman of the Northwest Chapter of Women in Banking and Business. Upon graduation, she began her career working for Boeing in their accounting department. She was later employed by Peoples Bank, Bank of the West and lastly, US Bank where she was the branch manager for several years. After Ora Lee retired from banking – never one to be idle – she decided to open her own business and began selling insurance through Farmers Insurance Company.
Moreover, Ora Lee loved the Lord. And, while living in Renton, she joined Calvary Baptist Church, where she and her family were members in good standing for several years. Later in life, Ora Lee would come to fellowship with Mt. Zion Baptist church, where she taught Sunday school until she moved to Banning, California in 2001.
Ora Lee had a passion for gardening. While in California she grew collard greens that were almost as tall as her house. She maintained a beautiful yard with colorful flowers and several fruit trees. She was an avid reader and a life time learner. She enjoyed traveling, visiting all 50 states, as well as traveling abroad. She also spent time as a mentor for children in the Banning school district. Ora Lee loved helping people and volunteered at the Senior Center as an office manager, as well as doing their accounting.
Ora Lee passed quietly from this life into eternal life on March 17, 2017. She leaves to cherish her memories: one son, Paris Kimbrough, Jr., Kent, WA; Sherri Charleston, Puyallup, WA; Lisa Kimbrough, Banning, California; two sisters, Annie Peterson; Renton, WA; Reverend Patrinell (Pat) Wright, Seattle, WA; two brothers; Alton B. Staten, Jr., Texarkana, Texas; Reverend Gregory Staten, Renton, WA. She was preceded in death by: one son, Gerald Alton Kimbrough, two sisters, Carrie B. Williams and Gerald Ruth Staten and one brother, John Aaron Staten.
Sister Ora Lee will be eulogized by her loving brother, Reverend Gregory Staten at the Ebenezer AME Zion Church, 1716 – 23rd Avenue, Seattle, WA 98122. Memorial services will be on March 31 and will begin promptly at 11:00 a.m.
Condolences may be mailed to 18106 – 96th Ave E., Puyallup, WA 98375.
