Frances Ernestine Starling

Long-time West Texas businesswoman Frances Ernestine Starling, 96, passed away in Temple, Texas on September 30, 2013. Mrs. Starling, a retired florist, owned and operated the Flower Pot in Monahans, TX., for over 20 years. Prior to that she was City Secretary for the City of Monahans. In Monahans she was active in the First United Methodist Church, the Wednesday Study Club, the Business and Professional Women’s Club, and the West Texas Chamber of Commerce, and was an active supporter of all musical events in the community and the West Texas area.

Mrs. Starling moved to Temple, TX in 1996 and was a member of Temple’s First United Methodist Church. She was also an active member of the Sammons Senior Center bridge club until her health problems intervened. She was a resident of Elmcroft at Cottonwood Assisted Living, where she was an avid reader and loved to play bingo. Her final residence was the Meridian Nursing Center of Temple, TX.

Mrs. Starling was born Frances Ernestine Walters on December 30, 1916, in Rotan, TX., and spent most of her childhood there and later in Wink, TX. Parents Buford Jackson and Ima Jettie Montgomery Walters predeceased her. She was also preceded in death by her brother, Donald Walters of Lakeway, TX., Mrs. Starling is survived by daughters Sylvia (William) Marrs of Temple TX., and Sherry (Norman) Smyrl of Knoxville, TN., she is also survived by granddaughters Leigh (Jeff) Goldstein of Round Rock, TX., and Tracy (Ron) Ward of Cumming, GA.; grandsons Trey (Pam) Marrs of Spring, TX., Charles (Cindy) Marrs of Pflugerville, TX., and Tim (Heather) Smyrl of Cumming, GA.; great-grandchildren Sarah Goldstein of Round Rock, TX., Abby and Marshall Marrs of Spring, TX., Grayson and Katie Marrs of Pflugerville, TX., and Emily and Zoey Ward of Cumming, GA. She is also survived by one nephew, David Walters of Seattle, WA., and one niece Pam Walters of Carlsbad, CA., and cousins Reva (Elwood) Freeman of Lamesa, TX., Jim Watson of Dallas, TX., and Mildred Grubb of Weatherford, TX.

Mrs. Starling attended Texas Tech University.

A memorial service and celebration of life for Mrs. Starling will be held at First United Methodist Church of Temple, TX., on December 30, 2013 at 11a.m. which would have been her 97th birthday. Interment will follow at the Monahans Municipal Cemetery. Messages of condolence may be left online at Crawford-Bowers Funeral Home in Temple, TX., Where arrangements are being handled. Memorials may be made to the music Ministry of Temple’s First United Methodist Church or to an organization of choice.

Condolences may be left for the Starling family at www.crawford-bowersfuneralhome.com