Margaret Starnes' Obituary
Margaret Thelma Starnes, daughter of Samuel E. and Emily Elsie Logan Steward, was born March 26, 1923, near Brownfield, Missouri. She departed this life Saturday, August 1, 2009, in her home, near Lebanon, Missouri, at the age of eighty-six years, four months, and five days. On September 7, 1940, she was united in marriage to Tom Starnes, and to this union three daughters and two sons were born. Tom passed away on January 9, 1965. On July 31, 1967, she married Olan Starnes and they shared the last forty-two years. She was also preceded in death by her parents; an infant son; a granddaughter, Donna Ann Decker; a grandson, Junior Williams; two daughters-in-law, Edna (Hopper) Starnes and Betty Starnes; three brothers, Earl, Jimmy and Bob Steward; and two sisters, Nanny Steward and Violet Bingham. Thelma is survived by her husband, Olan, of the home; three daughters, Barbara Williams, and her husband, Johnny, Carol Decker, and her husband, Donald, and Mary Decker, and her husband, Kenny, all of Lebanon, Missouri; a son, Charles Starnes, of Cambridge, Nebraska; three grandchildren, Sherri Hicks, and Craig Decker, both of Lebanon, Missouri, and Tommy Decker, of Republic, Missouri; nine beautiful great-granddaughters, Paige Carpenter, Emma Martin, Hannah Goans, Taylor, and Cameron Decker, Alyssa, Megan, and Victoria Decker, and Maddysen Hiatt; a sister, Irene Munholland, of Raytown, Missouri; a sister-in-law, Gladys Bingham, of Lebanon, Missouri; a number of nieces and nephews; three special home health aides, Cindy, Carolyn, and Tia; as well as a host of other relatives and many friends. She was born and raised in the Brownfield community. After she and Tom were married, they continued to make their home near Brownfield and lovingly raised their children. Later, she and Olan moved closer to Lebanon and made their home. Throughout the years, Thelma was a devoted and hard working homemaker to her family. Thelma made her profession of faith in Christ early in her life and was a member of Brownfield Baptist Church for many years. After she and Olan moved to Lebanon, she attended Grace Baptist Church for as long as her health allowed. In her spare time she enjoyed crocheting, doing embroidery work, and bird watching. She also liked working in her garden and canning her homegrown produce. Her family was very important to her and she especially enjoyed her grandchildren and great-grandchildren. Thelma was a loving wife, mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, sister, and aunt, and was a caring neighbor and friend. She will be fondly remembered for her lovely smile and will be dearly missed by all those who knew and loved her. Services will be held at 1:00 pm on Tuesday August 4, 2009 at the Holman-Howe Funeral Home Lebanon, Missouri. Burial will be in the New Home Cemetery. Visitation is Monday evening 7-8:30 pm at the funeral home under the direction of the Holman-Howe Funeral Home Lebanon, Missouri. A memorial has been established to the Grace Baptist Church. Donations may be made through the funeral home. Return to top
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