Mildred Starkebaum

Mildred Inez Massey Starkebaum, age 92 of Cartersville, GA, went home to be with her Lord and Savior on Wednesday, July 16, 2025. She was born in Blue Diamond, KY, on August 11, 1932 to Homer Edney and Mary Lee Blackwell Massey.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Homer Edney and Mary Lee Blackwell Massey; her husband, Lewis Fredrick Starkebaum; siblings, Wylene Massey, Donald Ray Massey, Ruth Morris, and Jimmy Massey; and her granddaughter, Brandi Lea Holcomb.

She is survived by her children, Linda Holcomb and Lisa (Scott) Sanford; grandchildren, Chris (Nancy) Holcomb, Caroline (Ricardo) Lamberti, Jonathan Sanford, and Madison Sanford; great-grandchildren, Hendrix and Gannon Holcomb, McKenna, McKenzie, and Magnolia Lamberti; as well as many nieces and nephews.

Mildred graduated from Smithville High School in Cartersville, GA. Then she attended Massey Business School. She retired from BellSouth Telephone Company. She volunteered for many years at the Bartow County Genealogy Society. She later went on to extend her education by taking courses through the Georgia Baptist Convention, where she graduated.

Mildred was a loving wife, mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, sister, and aunt. She was an active member of the Christian Women’s Club and the Red Hat Society. She was Treasurer of the Center Baptist Church Sunday School, as well as a teacher on Wednesday nights and a Sunday morning nursery worker. She also led the youth choir for several years. She enjoyed cooking, baking, and canning. She loved planning family reunions and family gatherings.

She was a proud and devoted member of Center Baptist Church for over 60 years.

A special thanks to Pruitt Hospice, all the doctors, nurses, aides, social workers, and chaplains.

A Celebration of Life Service will be conducted at 2:00 pm on Tuesday, July 22, 2025 in the chapel of Owen Funeral Home with Rev. Joey Phillips officiating. The interment will follow at Center Baptist Church Cemetery. The family will receive friends on Monday, July 21, 2025 from 5:00 pm until 8:00 pm at Owen Funeral Home.