Bert was born in Smackover, Arkansas on January 22, 1925. She grew up in Bluff City, Arkansas with her parents Elma E. Gulley, and Charlie Columbus Starnes, who was a schoolteacher, and her sister, Mary.
After Bert graduated from high school, she went to college for one year. She then began working at the Cotton Belt Railroad, along with her sister, Mary. This is where she met her husband, Don.
After a few years, Bert and Don moved to Houston where Bert soon started working at Schlumberger where she enjoyed a long career. She retired after working there for over 30 years. She then went to work for Don’s business, the Audio Hearing Center, until they both retired.
Bert and Don were able to travel many places over the years. They also enjoyed fishing together. They were married for 49 years before he passed away in 1997.
Bert attended The Westbury Church of Christ, where she was a very active member. She enjoyed being with her friends from church and she also loved to work puzzles.
Bert was preceded in death by her husband, Don, and her sister, Mary Starnes Oden and Mary’s son, Michael Mason Oden.
Bert is survived by her son, Christopher Donald Silaz and his wife, Yolanda and their son, Joshua Christopher. She is also survived by her niece, Carol Oden Riordan and her husband, Tim, and their son, Luke and by her great-niece, Lori Oden Wright and her husband, Bob.
Bert’s special life came to an end on February 26, 2021. She was 96 years old.
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