She was born on August 6, 1936 to the late Emil Scheer and Leona Magdelena Mehl Scheer in Arlington, Nebraska.
Lee was a member of Christ Lutheran Church in Hickory. She was a very active member and loved her Women’s Bible Study group. Lee was awarded the 1983 Air Force Transportation Civilian of the Year Award during her career as a Transportation Specialist for the United States Air Force. At her retirement, she received the Outstanding Service Award. While her husband James was in the service, Lee raised their family in the Christian faith and faithfully supported her husband during his active duty. Lee was a wonderful, devoted wife, mother, grandmother, friend, and shared her faith and love throughout her life.
Along with her parents, she is preceded in death by her brothers, Dale Scheer and Dean Scheer and their respective wives.
Survivors include her husband of 60 years, James Robert Starkey; daughter, Sandra Sue Starkey Abernathy and husband John Franklin of Hickory; son, Bryan James Starkey and wife Shari of Parker, Colorado; grandchildren, Rachel Virginia Abernathy, Elizabeth Ann Abernathy, David John Abernathy, Ashley Marie Cobb, Joshua John Starkey, Erin St. John, Kayla Kaminski, Breanna Summerlin; great grandchildren, Emma Sandra Monahan, Tarver Cobb, and numerous nieces and nephews.
A visitation will be held on Thursday, June 6, 2019 from 6: 00 until 8:00 p.m. at Hickory Funeral Home.
A funeral service will be held on Friday, June 7, 2019 at 11: 00 a.m. at Christ Lutheran Church. The family will receive friends prior to the service from 10:00 until 10:45 a.m. at the church. Rev. Richard Schwandt will be officiating the service. Inurnment will take place at a later date.
Lee had a request that everyone attending the service, stay to enjoy a luncheon to celebrate her life following the service at the church.
Memorials may be made to Christ Lutheran Church, 324 2nd Ave. SE, Hickory, NC 28602 or the Alzheimer’s Association- Western Carolina Chapter, 4600 Park Rd. Suite 250, Charlotte, NC 28209.
