Serena L. Staggers, born in Kingstree, South Carolina, was the daughter of the late Chester and Annie M. Staggers. Serena is survived by countless, friends, relatives and love ones. Serena earned a bachelor's degree in Social Studies from Bennett College in Greensboro, North Carolina and a master's degree in Sociology from Atlanta University in Atlanta, Georgia. Committed to education and community, Serena received countless awards and recognition for her work in the educational system and community outreach.

In an educational career that spanned nearly 60 years, Serena worked as a high school teacher, college professor, and counselor. She worked as a high school social studies teacher at Mather Academy in Camden, South Carolina; assistant director of Student Activities and social science instructor at Bennett College in Greensboro; a social science instructor at Voorhees College in Denmark, South Carolina; a sociology instructor at St. Augustine's College in Raleigh, North Carolina; an adult educator at Williamsburg Technical College in Kingstree, South Carolina; and as a professor, counselor, and coordinator of Benedict College's Mentors Program in Columbia, South Carolina.

As a long-time educator, counselor, and member of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Serena dedicated her personal and professional life to teaching, counseling, mentoring, and nurturing youth leadership development. For more than 50 years Serena developed programs and organized activities that encouraged self-confidence and self-esteem in youths as well as prepared them for the challenges and difficulties of life.

Driven by a passion to make a difference in the lives of children, Serena worked tirelessly to organize programs and outreach services for youth. She organized career fairs; worked with the Children's Garden, a childcare facility for infants and pre-school aged children from low income families; made greeting cards and delivered gifts to hospitalized children; and provided clothing and other essentials to young men living at the Alston Wilkes Youth Home for Boys. Her "Follow Your Dreams" program provided back-to-school supplies to Columbia youth for almost 20 years.