Frances P. Starr

She was the daughter of James J. Rivers Pennell and Grace Barnes Pennell. In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband John Ralph Starr, Tate and Jennie Estes (Jennie was her half sister who raised her), and sisters Edith Bumgarner, Lucille Clark, and Viola Reece and a brother, Robert Pennell, and several half brothers and sisters.

Frances was married to the love of her life, John Ralph Starr on November 13, 1948, and they enjoyed 64 years together.

She will be remembered by her children; Leah S. Dowd and husband, Buddy and Gregory B Starr and wife Phyllis. Her grandchildren Jonathan Dowd (Suzanna), Heather Miller, Matthew Starr (Kelly), Jennifer Starr; eight great grandchildren; Kaitlyn, Jacob, and David Miller, Bodhi and Marly Dowd, Audrey, Gemma, and Owen Starr, as well as several nieces and nephews. Along with her family, she will be remembered by a host of friends.

Frances worked as a telephone operator and store clerk in Lenoir, NC. After high school and up until she and Ralph moved to Charlotte in the early 50s. She was a stay at home mom until the early 60s when she began working for the Advent Christian Denomination as a secretary in the Missions Department, and later as a secretary for Dulin's Grove AC Church.

Frances was a member of the Philadelphia Presbyterian Church in Mint Hill, NC. She greatly enjoyed the Fred Brown Sunday School class and Women's Group. Frances volunteered and served for years as a secretary for the VFW Ladies Auxiliary Post 4059 in Mint Hill.

In her free time, Frances loved being out working in her flower beds and yard, walking and picking up litter along the way. Frances loved her neighbors and enjoyed talking with them at any time. Reading, especially her Bible, was her indoor activity.

A special thank you to her long time neighbors who looked out for Frances and treated her more like family than a friend.

A visitation for Frances will be held Thursday, June 13, 2024 from 11:00 AM to 12:00 PM at McEwen Funeral Service-Mint Hill Chapel, 7428 Matthews-Mint Hill Road, Mint Hill, NC 28227. A funeral service will immediately follow. Frances will be laid to rest at Forest Lawn West Cemetery, 4601 Freedom Dr, Charlotte, NC 28208.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in her name to Advent Christian General Conference (Missions), PO Box 690848, Charlotte, NC 28277 or Levine & Dickson Hospice House, 11900 Vanstory Dr., Huntersville, NC 28078.