Walter Lee Starnes, Sr.

Mr. Walter Lee Starnes, Sr., age 90, of Monroe, passed away Sunday, January 12, 2014, at the Brian Nursing and Rehabilitation Center in Monroe. Mr. Starnes was born on April 10, 1923, in Union County, North Carolina. He lived 90 years and 9 months. His mother was the late Frances Elizabeth Starnes Phillips and his foster parents were Abe and Liza Funderburk. He was preceded in death by a brother, Ward; four sisters, Edna, Joyce, Kathleen, and Margaret; and numerous nephews and nieces. He was a truck driver for Southern Dairies for 10 years. He then drove for Johnson Motor Lines (JML) and retired in 1980 with 30 years of dedicated service. He had over 25 years of safe driving, logging over 1,460,000 miles with JML. Mr. Starnes was married to his beloved wife, Dorothy Starnes Starnes for 73 years. He loved his Lord, his wife, his family, and his church. He loved the little ones and was known for always having candy and bubble gum in his pocket on Sundays. All the children knew that "Mr. Walter" always had candy. In addition, he was very involved in his beloved church and held many offices. He was awarded Elder Emeritus in September, 2012, after many years of dedicated service. He was a Charter Member of STA National since 1984. He also served his community by serving as a Gideon with the East Campus. He loved watching western movies and he and his wife were avid Atlanta Braves fans. He was a loving man who never met a stranger. He will be missed by all who knew and loved him. Survivors include his wife, Dorothy Starnes, of the home; one son, Walter "Lee" Starnes, Jr. of Monroe; two daughters, Evelyn Howell and husband, James, of Monroe, and Brenda Westcoat and husband, Gary, of Mechanicsburg, Pennsylvania. There are six grandchildren, Butch Howell, Jeff Howell, Donald Howell, Tyler Starnes, Chelsea Starnes, all of Monroe, Dawn Westcoat Katz of Camp Hill, Pennsylvania; four great-grandchildren, Julie Howell, Thomas Howell, Wyatt Howell, Sydney Howell, all of Monroe; and two great-great-grandchildren, Bailey Howell and Chloe McCain. Davis Funeral Home of Monroe is serving the family of Mr. Starnes. An on-line guestbook is available at www.davisfuneralservice.com.

Walter Lee Starnes, Sr.

April 10, 1923 - January 12, 2014