Vera Ellen Starnes

She attended Star Spencer High School in Spencer, Oklahoma and graduated in 1975. She went to work at the Baptist General Convention of Oklahoma after graduation and spent the next 20 years managing the mail department.

Ellen is remembered for her humor, her friendliness and for being a great friend to many. Ellen had a deep love for family – and anyone was welcomed to become a part of her family. She loved her family history and did extensive research on the Starnes and Mayfield families. She loved new cars and drove them hard. She loved Arkansas and was a lifelong Razorback fan! She also had many dogs throughout her life that she loved immensely including Casper who filled her later years with love and devotion. In this past year she pursued and developed her talent for drawing, filling scores of notebooks of drawings. She loved playing a game she created with a group of family where she created a character and we were to supply a story.

Most importantly, Ellen loved God and her church and sharing His love with others whenever she could. Her favorite Bible verse in her latter years was Psalm 37:25. Even when church attendance was no longer an option, she engaged in online worship with Eastview Christian Church in Bloomington, IL and Crossings Church in Oklahoma City. We are grateful for the ministries of these churches who fed her soul and spirit.

Ellen is survived by her sister Debbie Burch, husband David, niece Jennifer and nephew Kyle and her brother Andy, wife Becky and nephews Patrick, Joshua (Ashley) and niece Marsinah (Ty) and a great nephew Ashton. She is survived by one uncle, Bill Grissom and one aunt, Rhetta Mayfield Hudson. She is also survived by many cousins and their families.

Ellen was preceded in death by her parents Tom and Myra Starnes, her maternal grandparents John Barham and Ineta Mayfield and paternal grandparents Loyce and Vera Belle Starnes, and many aunts, uncles and cousins.

The family is grateful for the caregivers and staff at The Grand in Bethany and the Good Shepherd Hospice who cared for Ellen in her final days.

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.billmerrittfuneralservice.com for the Starnes family.