Bobby Eugene Starnes

Bobby E. Starnes, a 75 of Hickory went home to the Lord on Tuesday, May 3, 2016. He was born on January 4, 1941 in Chattanooga, Tennessee to Floyd and Mary Starnes, but lived in Catawba County his entire life. Bobby married Gail Sprouse on November 15, 1963 and were together for 52 years. He worked for Shuford Mills for 45 years and retired in 2005. Bobby loved to fish at the Outer Banks and was a NASCAR and Atlanta Braves fan. Bobby was soft spoken with a generous spirit who loved Gail and his entire family. Bobby is survived by his wife, Gail Starnes of Hickory; his twin sister, Betty Biggerstaff and husband Carroll of Newton; brothers, Fred Starnes and wife Nancy of Conover and Durwood Starnes and wife Joyce of Hickory; uncle, David Starnes and wife Carolyn of Hickory; aunts, Lovenia Guthrie of Hickory, Bonnie Starnes of Hickory, Linda Brown and husband Johnny of Conover and Mildred Tolbert of Granite Falls, and many nieces and nephews. Bobby was preceded in death by his parents, Floyd and Mary Swafford Starnes. Funeral services will be held at 2 pm Saturday, May 7, 2016 at Catawba Funeral Home with Pastor Homer Green officiating. Burial will follow at Catawba Memorial Park. The family will receive friends on Saturday from noon until 2 at the funeral home.