Annis Alston Staley

“To everything there is a season, and a time to every purpose under the heaven”

Ecclesiastes 3:

Annis Lenora Alston Staley, daughter of the late Benjamin and Anna Davis Alston was born February

7, 1946, in the Sandridge Community of Conway, South Carolina. She answered the Master’s call on

Thursday morning, August 17, 2023. She took His hand and entered eternal rest.  She accepted Christ

at an early age and joined the Bethlehem #1 Missionary Baptist Church which, along with her upbringing at home and school, helped to lay the foundation for her intense desire to help those other than herself, to lead rather than follow and to build rather than destroy. This is evident in her belief that “If she could help somebody along the way, her living would not be in vain”.

Annis attended the public schools of Horry County and graduated Salutatorian for the class of 1963 at Whittemore High School.  After graduation, she was recruited to work for the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) in Washington, DC , the Fingerprint Department.  Shortly afterwards, she enrolled in college to study Accounting.  That, in turn, led to a need for a part time job at McDonald’s, working alongside her brother, Benjamin (Ben) Alston Jr., the store Manager.  This connection turned into what would become a long time career with the company where she quickly became a store manager, then promoted to Training/Product Professor at Hamburger University in Chicago, IL. Her work ethic and dedication led her to become a pioneer in the McDonald Corporation.   She went on to become Regional Senior Vice President and Owner Operator franchise system in Northern New Jersey.  She was one of the first Black women to be promoted to corporate senior management.

 Annis retired after owning and operating seven McDonald Restaurants in Northern New Jersey.  She became a role model and was an inspiration for other women entrepreneurs to follow.  She was a dedicated community leader, and was committed to giving back to the communities in which her restaurants were located.  When she joined in union with her longtime friend Harry Staley, she became a proud and dedicated wife, mother and grandmother.  Together they worked relentlessly to operate and manage their multiple McDonald franchises.  

After a brief retirement in NJ ,  Annis and Harry relocated South  to the Charleston,  South Carolina area  to be closer to Annis’ family,  the Conway area,   her childhood community of Sandridge and  Bethlehem #1 Missionary Baptist Church, the church of her youth.  Moreover, the waters and people of SC  inspired her  to  develop, own and operate Anise Threads, a designer consignment shop and  professional image consultancy in Summerville, South Carolina.  Her resume even expanded to five years of corporate real estate experience.  All in all, it reunited her with the legacy of her beloved Whittemore High School and its  Alumni Association.   She became a member of the Association in 2020 and  was soon  elected President in 2021 (-2023).  During her tenure, the Association awarded close to  $20,000 in scholarships.  Each recipient eligible was awarded $1,000 in financial aid toward college education. From 1971 to 2023 the Association has awarded nearly  $170,000 in scholarship awards..

Annis was preceded in death by her parents, and two siblings, Benjamin Alston (Ben) Jr. and William Alston (Skebo)

She leaves a lifetime of treasured sweet memories to her beloved husband, Harry Staley, two sisters: Mary A. Friday, and Jeanette A. Faulk, six children, 12 grandchildren and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, other family members and friends.  

The Viewing will be held at Latimer's Funeral Home

Aug. 24, 2023 2-6PM

The Funeral will be held at Bethlehem MBC Friday, Aug. 25, 2023 1PM

To send flowers to the family, please visit our floral store.