Loberta (Bryan) Staley

Loberta (Bryan) Staley passed away January 4th, 2024 surrounded by her loving family.  She was born on March 6, 1939 in Winchester, VA to her loving parents Pauline Loberta (Mowry) and Dorsey Corliss Bryan, both deceased.  She was the devoted and loving wife of Harold M. Staley, Jr. who was the perfect yang to her yin.  Sometimes two people meet who are so perfectly made for each other that it is hard to envision one without the other.  Each one compliments the other such that they are as important to each other as air and water are to life.  Loberta and Harold were the perfect fix for each other -- like Cinderella’s glass slipper was a perfect fit.  They believed that there were no two people on this earth more made for each other than they were.

She is survived by her loving husband, Harold M. Staley, Jr., her devoted children Bryan L. Dinkle and wife Marguerite; Frederick; Mark Staley and wife Anita, Johnsville; Daniel Staley and wife, Paula, Gettysburg, PA.  Also surviving are her adorable grandchildren Bailey Rae Wright, and Alexandra Lea Wright, of Frederick; Joseph Staley and wife Amanda, Fairfield, PA; George Staley and wife Dani, Emmitsburg;, Luke Staley wife Maddie, Walkersville: and Anna Joyce Staley, Michael Staley of Johnsville.  She also leaves behind her precious great-grandchildren Reagan Staley, Parker Staley, Logan Staley, and Mariella Staley.  She is also survived by her favorite sister, with whom she shared many laughs and joys, Yvonne Roderick and husband Lee, Hamilton, VA; her brother Daniel Mowry Bryan, Charles Town, WV; sister-in-law Anna Lee Bryan, Knoxville; sister-in-law Rebecca Reinke and husband Steve of La Marque, TX, and son-in-law Jeffery Wright, Frederick.

She is also survived by many nieces, nephews and cousins with whom she was very close.  She leaves behind many wonderful friends that she made over the years.  

 Besides her parents, she was predeceased by her devoted daughter, Brenda L. Dinkle-Wright in 2020, her loving granddaughter, Sarah Jane Dinkle in 2017, her brother Dorsey Delano Bryan, one of her very favorite aunts, Blondena Lewis Good, Knoxville, MD; paternal grandparents Cleveland and Mattie Bryan, WV; maternal grandparents James and Mamie Mowry, WV; mother-in-law and father-in-law, Alice and Harold M. Staley, Sr., Frederick; and many very special family members and friends.  
Her faith in God and love for her family was the cornerstone of her life.

She lived during the depression and World War II. As a child, her family moved to Brunswick, MD in 1942 when her dad began employment with the B&O Railroad. She attended schools in Brunswick, MD before her family moved to a small farm in Washington County.  She graduated from Boonsboro High School but remained great friends with classmates from both schools.  Later she attended Frederick Community College and Liberty University where she was a member of The National Society of Collegiate Scholars.  She met her husband-to-be at Frederick Community College where they formed a great friendship that later became a loving marriage.

Her early career begin with the U.S. Government at the Pentagon as a Transportation Analyst where she was involved in the arrangements for the transfer of U.S. hostages from the U.S. Embassy in Laos. She later transferred to NASA at Goddard Space Flight Center in Greenbelt, MD that brought other interesting job opportunities. There, she served on the procurement support team for the Apollo space flight missions and where she met many aspiring astronauts. Years later, she decided to move closer to her family which brought her back to the local area. She was employed as a personnel administrator during the startup phase of Eastalco while waiting for her security clearance to be updated for employment at Fort Detrick. In 1972, she was part of the first group hired at the Frederick Cancer Research Center, Fort Detrick, as a scientific program administrator which led to her being the Deputy Director of Operations. Ten years later, she accepted a position with the U.S. Army Medical Research Institute of Infectious Diseases (USAMRIID), Fort Detrick, where she retired in 2003 as the USAMRIID Animal Protocol Officer. Prior to retirement, she received a Certificate of Recognition for her service from the Secretary of Defense, Donald Rumsfeld.  After retirement, she served as a consultant to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), in Atlanta, GA.

 While working at Fort Detrick, she organized and chaired the first Disability Awareness Committee which brought her great satisfaction since her daughter, Brenda, became a paraplegic at age 12. Brenda became the inspiration for the goals and accomplishments achieved by Loberta and her committee that were used as a model for all Health Services Commands in the U.S. Army.  Loberta was appointed by the Governor of Maryland to become a member of his disability awareness team and the National Rehabilitation Association responsible for promoting disability awareness throughout the state of Maryland. Both of these committees provided insight into the disability issues faced by those with a disability and the need to eliminate architectural barriers. She was awarded the U.S. Army’s highest Award for Outstanding Achievement in Equal Employment Opportunity by Major General James B. Peake for her achievements in this capacity. She also organized the first job fair at FCC for persons with a disability to help meet future employment requirements.

She invited many guest speakers with disabilities to Fort Detrick to share their experiences such as Jim Brady, who was shot and disabled when he was the Press Secretary to President Ronald Reagan. When talking to Jim Brady’s secretary regarding his scheduled visit to Fort Detrick, she mentioned to Loberta that Mr. Brady loved chocolate chip cookies. Knowing that her mother-in-law was known for making the best chocolate chip cookies around, Loberta asked her to bake some for Mr. Brady when he came to Fort Detrick. Not only did he really enjoy the cookies, but he asked if she could make him more cookies and send to him in Washington. She did! Afterward, Mr. Brady sent Loberta a special thank you letter expressing thanks to her mother-in-law, Alice Staley, for the wonderful cookies.

Other famous guest speakers she brought to Fort Detrick included Dana Bowman, a paratrooper with the Golden Eagles, an elite group of U.S. Army paratroopers who had lost both legs during a scheduled jump, and CWO Woodie Williams, a Medal of Honor winner from West Virginia, who served in WWII.   

Loberta and her husband, Harold, along with their daughter, the late Brenda Dinkle-Wright, were co-founders of the Disabled Citizens of Frederick County United Committee. They inspected many businesses and checked areas with curbs and sidewalks to determine whether a person with a physical disability could easily navigate in these areas. They also became supporters of the annual March of Dimes walk-a-thon.

From a young age, Loberta was a “collector” of many things. Recipes and cook books were her favorite, followed by tea pots, interesting books, “words of wisdom,” unusual glass pieces and most things that were old. She loved yard sales, much to the chagrin of her husband, Harold. When she shopped, she always looked for things that her loved ones might enjoy having. She was very generous in so many ways and delighted in simple pleasures. She was loyal to her family and friends and was grateful for each new day. If she felt that someone needed her or needed something done for them – she was there.

Harold and Loberta were co-founders of the Prison to Pulpit Program at MCTC in Hagerstown and helped to raise funds to support a two-year seminary program for the inmates. It was very rewarding when he and Loberta attended the first graduation of 20 students from this seminary program.

Loberta and her husband, Harold, and granddaughter, Bailey Wright, volunteered to take responsibility for the art gallery at Homewood at Frederick where they arranged to exhibit a variety of art and photography by talented Homewood resident artists and local artists.  

As a member of the Lewistown Ruritan Club, she wrote many articles for the club that were published locally and in the Ruritan National Magazine. She was also a member of the Farm Bureau, the American Management Associations, the Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee, and the Telephone Pioneers.

Loberta had a great sense of humor. Sometimes she laughed and cried at the same time. She also believed in giving back to the community through volunteerism. Always ready to help anyone in need, she was well known for her volunteerism. In her earlier years, she volunteered as the Transportation Coordinator for the American Red Cross, the Soup Kitchen, was a founding member of the Eastalco Credit Union, taught Sunday school for pre-school children, and served as president of the church Consistory Board for Faith United Church of Christ. She also reviewed scholarship applications for the Community Foundation of Frederick County and was a volunteer member of the auxiliary executive board at Homewood at Frederick for many years, serving as president as well as vice president and writing many auxiliary articles for publication.  

She and her husband were also founding members of the MSPA for the state of Maryland where both of them held positions on the board that dealt with regulatory and environmental issues.   

When their grandchildren were in high school, Harold and Loberta served on the Safe and Sane Committee for several years and attended many sports events and functions involving their grandchildren. For many years, Loberta and Harold were also active members of the Woodsboro Dance Club.

 For several years, Loberta and her sister, Yvonne, owned an antique business in Hamilton, VA where they shared many wonderful memories of being in business together and enjoyed the associations they established with their many repeat customers.

Loberta loved sending cards and writing special notes to her family and many friends to let them know she was thinking of them. She was very inquisitive, patriotic, had a great sense of humor, and a positive outlook on life. She also never met a stranger. 

Loberta was very proud of her loving, blended family and enjoyed the many times spent playing games at home, camping at Chincoteague, vacationing with family and friends, enjoying a family meal or just laughing together.

Her faith was very important to her and she believed in the power and strength of God. She was very proud of her membership and association with the Lewistown Methodist Church, and her former church, Faith United Church of Christ. She volunteered in many ways for both churches. She truly loved her church families.

She and her husband, Harold, owned many successful businesses over the years and were well known in the business community.  

 Loberta and Harold were blessed to be able to travel extensively throughout the United States, Canada, and to interesting places throughout the world making many friends in their travels.  

They also enjoyed playing golf at various local courses and when travelling.

In 2003, Harold and Loberta designed and built their dream home near Utica where they enjoyed living in the country, entertaining family and friends, and watching the wild life. Their home was always a welcome place for family and friends to gather.

 A longtime resident of Frederick County, Loberta’s love of life and adventure took her many places during her life time. She often said “I don’t know how my story will end, but nowhere will it ever say “She Gave Up."

Visitation will take place from at 3:00 pm to 7:00 p.m. on Wednesday, January 10th at Stauffer Funeral Home, 1621 Opossumtown Pike, Frederick. The funeral will be held at 10:30 a.m. on Thursday, January 11th from the funeral home chapel with Pastor Mark Claiborne, Sr. and Rev. Tim May officiating. Interment will be private.

Expressions of sympathy may be offered to the family at StaufferFuneralHome.com. 

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Lewistown United Methodist Church, 11032 Hessong Bridge Road, Thurmont, MD 21788; or to Community Living, Inc., 620-B Research Court, Frederick, MD 21703.