Melvin Duane Starnes

Melvin Duane Starnes (Mel), 94, of Raleigh, North Carolina, loving father of four and adoring husband to Sue Boggs Starnes, passed away on June 3, 2026. He was the son of the late Creola Mae Starnes and Theron Paul Starnes, born on December 23, 1931, in Monroe, NC.

Melvin attended Brevard College and High Point University where he graduated with a bachelor’s degree. While home from college, Mel met Sue at a local community center in Kannapolis. It was love at first sight. After graduation Mel received orders from the US Army to serve in Japan during the Korean War. With barely a week to plan a wedding, the couple wed on June 19, 1954.

When Mel returned from Japan, he began his career at the Employment Security Commission for the state of North Carolina. He retired from the agency in 1994 after 36 years of service. During his career he was presented with the order of the Longleaf Pine for his outstanding service. The order of the Longleaf pine is awarded to citizens who have displayed service for their state and community. It’s the highest award given to citizens in the state of North Carolina.

Mel and Sue were known for their unwavering faith, generous heart, and the peace they brought to those around them. Their love for God and for others shaped the way they lived each day. They joined West Raleigh Presbyterian Church in 1974 where they raised their children. Mel served as deacon and elder for many years. He was a charter member that established the Stephen Ministry for West Raleigh and served as a Stephen ministry leader for many years. In addition to the Stephen Ministry, he also served in several other ministries in the church.

Mel had many hobbies and interests. He spent many hours scouring the beaches of North Carolina for seashells on family vacations. Over the years he has acquired an extensive collection of shells. Most days you could find Mel working in his flower garden, a labor of love that reflected both his patience and his appreciation for God’s handiwork. The reward for those hours of work was a yard that became his pride and joy – filled with beautiful blooms of every variety and color. To those who passed by, it was a beautiful garden. To Mel it was a daily reminder of God’s blessings. He was an avid member of the Gardeners of Wake County and spent many years working in the garden area at the North Carolina State Fair. In addition to gardening, he also enjoyed picking strawberries, peaches and figs which he used to make homemade jelly. He enjoyed sharing those with family, friends and neighbors.

Mel and Sue moved to Windsor Point in Fuquay Varina in 2019. Soon after Sue moved into the skilled nursing unit. Even though Mel knew that Sue was well taken care of, he remained devoted to her every need each day.

Being a father, grandfather and great-grandfather was one of the most important parts of Mel’s life. In 1995, after the passing of their daughter, Beth, Mel, and Sue took on the role of parents once again, raising their granddaughter, Julianna. They made sure she lived her life as Beth would have wanted, while keeping her mother’s memory ever present in her life. His greatest joy was being ‘Papaw” to his seven grandchildren and three great-grandchildren.

Mel was preceded in death by his wife Sue Boggs Starnes, parents Creola and Theron Starnes, Sister Corine Waterman, and daughter Elizabeth (Beth) Starnes Larson.

He is survived by his son Greg Starnes of Raleigh, NC, son Brad Starnes (Jill) of Fuquay-Varina, NC, daughter Kelley Higgins (Stuart) of Apex, NC, granddaughter Julianna Sandlin (Ryan) of Apex, NC, granddaughter Jensen Starnes Castelloe (Mike) of Fuquay-Varina, NC, grandson Tyler Starnes of Atlanta, GA, grandson Andrew Starnes of Nashville, TN, grandson Zach Higgins (Payton) of Pittsboro, NC, grandson Nick Higgins (Sarah) of Raleigh, NC, and grandson Gabe Higgins of Apex, NC, great-granddaughter Taylor Sandlin, great-granddaughter Liston Castelloe and great-granddaughter Lowen Castelloe, his brothers Paul Starnes and Larry Starnes and sister Marsha Johnston.

The family would like to express their deepest thanks to the staff at Windsor Point in Fuquay Varina, NC for the wonderful love and care shown to both Mel and Sue.

Services will be held at West Raleigh Presbyterian Church, 27 Horne Street, Raleigh, NC on June 11, 2026, at 1pm. The family will receive friends prior to the service, starting at 11:30am. Following the service, a private burial will be held at Raleigh Memorial Park.

Friends and family may send flowers or make a donation in Mel’s memory to West Raleigh Presbyterian Church.

Brown-Wynne, 300 Saint Mary's Street, Raleigh is serving the Starnes family.