Betty Frances Starnes

Betty Frances (Isenberg) Starnes came into the world April 13, 1940 in El Centro California, born to Emma Lou (Beach) Isenberg and Thomas E. Isenberg. Betty lived in Milton, Florida. The Lord called Betty to Heaven on April 6, 2025, one week short of her 85th birthday.

She is preceded in death by her mother and father, and older sister, Velma Patricia Liggett, two nephews, Kenneth Lee Liggett and Michael Anthony Liggett, a number of aunts who lived in the Southern California area.

She is survived by her loving husband, Walter M. Starnes, her daughters, BettyLou (Schneider) and Aimee Patricia (Moore), two sons-in-law, Dan Schneider of La Mesa, CA and Bill Moore of Milton, FL, two grandchildren, Dean Michael Moore and Demitria AnnaBelle Leigh Starnes; two sister-in-laws, Marie (Lewis) and Mary Frances (York), and two brother-in-laws, Alvin York and Russell J. Kidwell and his wife Kathy. Other survivors include, Thomas Liggett and his wife Debbie, and great niece, Sue Ann Soto and her family.

When she got married, Betty was working as a mailroom supervisor in Los Angeles, CA, for travelers ins company. She worked as a clerk for Baptist Hospital in Little Rock, AR. After moving to Pensacola, FL in 1979, she went to PJC and earned her degree in nursing and worked for Baptist Hospital for several years in the orthopedic section.

She was a longtime member of 1st Baptist Church of Garcon Point in Milton, FL and served as a treasurer. We held church in our home for a while after the church was destroyed by a hurricane, while another church was built. She was saved a country church outside of Little Rock, AR, East End Church. Under God’s influence, she did a remarkable job raising our two precious daughters while I worked long hours. She inspired me, guided me, and loved me all the way. Betty was unique – not always overly friendly, she was caring and compassionate for others and wouldn’t let the family speak bad of others. She said people deserved the benefit of the doubt.

Some remarks from her husband, Walter: Betty was my life, my Beacon, my Blue Heaven, my wife, my lover my friend and my Boss. I received many blessings letting her be my Boss. She spoiled me rotten, we laughed about all the times we were fortunate enough to take 2 or 3 vacations a year, even on 3 day weekends often. Betty really enjoyed our trips.

Betty became a great cook with special entrees, including cheese cauliflower casserole, chicken cordon bleu, beef stroganoff and unbelievable fudge.

Betty loved crocheting, making booties, doilies, sweaters, and tablecloths which she gave away. She liked working jigsaw puzzles, she loved TV and watching Star Trek, mysteries and old westerns and playing Nintendo and enjoyed going to the casinos once a month.

Betty was sick for a very long time, being under Hospice care for almost 2 years. I cared for her at home with a whole lot of help from our daughter, Aimee who also did our grocery shopping, medication runs and doctor visits. Our other daughter, BettyLou and my younger sister, Mary Frances made many trips from California and Arkansas to assist us. We also had a hand from hospice workers in particular, Shirley and Sunday who were Angels in our midst. March 24, 2025 we were married 63 years, we got married in Hollywood, California and first dwelling was one block from Hollywood and Vine in California. It was a good run, and we will ALL miss her!