Mary Elizabeth Betty Starnes

Mary Elizabeth Betty Starnes, of Kingsport, passed away Wednesday, November 23, 2011 at Indian Path Medical Center.

Betty was a member of the Beta Sigma Phi sorority... motto: Life, Learning, and Friendship. She was a graduate of Brookhaven Business School in Brookhaven, MS. Betty served Sullivan County as Purchasing Agent and Assistant Purchasing Agent for 30 years. She was a life long member of the Colonial Heights United Methodist Church where she served in many capacities throughout the years to include youth leader and singing in the Chancel Choir. She was a loving wife and mother, a friend to many, and loved by all. She will be sadly missed.

Betty is preceded in death by her parents Perry W. and Ava Gammon Slaughter and her brothers, Robert McTier Mac Slaughter and LTC John Ritter Slaughter.

She is survived by her husband of 57 years, William Rhea Starnes; son, Bill Rhea Starnes and wife Lisa "Lou"; grandsons, Jason Starnes and wife Felicity and Justin Starnes and wife Rachel; four great-grandchildren; and sister Catherine Gilbert and husband Gerald.

The family will receive friends from 1:30 to 3:00 p.m. Sunday, November 27, 2011 at Colonial Heights United Methodist Church. Funeral services will follow with Pastor Robert Burlingham.
Graveside services will follow at Mt. Lebanon Cemetery adjacent to the Colonial Heights United Methodist Church.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Colonial Heights United Methodist Church, Building Fund, 631 Lebanon Road, Kingsport, TN 37663.