Beth Smith Starnes' Obituary
BETH S. STARNES, 82, of Memphis, TN, died Saturday, December 8, 2018, after a brief illness. She was born November 20, 1936, to the late Chester and Ruth Strahan, and was preceded in death by her husbands, Robert C. Smith (LTJG USN) and Ted E. Starnes. A native of Natchez, MS, Beth spent most of her life in Jacksonville, FL, after graduating from Mississippi State College for Women. She later attended the University of Mississippi and obtained her Master of Education. Most of her career was spent, first, as a middle school English teacher and, later, as a high school guidance counselor. Upon her retirement, she served as an admissions advisor at the University of North Florida for several years.Beth was a loving wife, devoted mother and grandmother, and trusted friend. She loved to laugh and hear good stories and was an accomplished storyteller herself. She is survived by her sons, Rob (Donna) Starnes of Memphis, TN, and Tim Starnes of Grapevine, TX, and her grandchildren, Caldwell (Carol) Starnes and Eleanor Starnes, of Atlanta, GA, and Henry and Georgia Starnes, of Dallas, TX.A service celebrating her life will be held at 11:00 a.m., Saturday, December 15, at Memorial Park Funeral Home in Memphis, with the Reverend Chris Carter officiating. Visitation will be from 10:00 – 11:00 a.m. at Memorial Park.The family requests that in lieu of flowers, any memorials be sent to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital.Arrangements have been entrusted to Memorial Park Funeral Home and Cemetery, 5668 Poplar Ave., Memphis, TN 38119 (901) 767-8930. “Celebrating Life… Behind the Stone Wall”.
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