MUSKOGEE, Okla. (AP) - Muskogee County officials say longtime teacher and former Democratic state Rep. Barbara Staggs of Muskogee has died. She was 74.
Muskogee County Commissioner and family friend Gene Wallace says Staggs died Saturday at a Tulsa hospital after suffering a fall Friday night outside a restaurant in Muskogee.
A memorial will be held at 11 am. Tuesday at First Baptist Church in Muskogee.
Staggs spent more than 25 years in public education as a teacher, principal and superintendent before being elected to the Oklahoma Legislature in 1994. She served 12 years and earned a reputation as a champion for public education.
In 2008, Staggs was appointed by then-Gov. Brad Henry, a Democrat, to serve on the Oklahoma Board of Education, but a Republican senator blocked her nomination.
Please read our comment policy before commenting.