Edna Dehay Starks

Mrs. Edna Estelle DeHay Starks, 83, of McLeod Road, Walterboro, entered into rest Saturday evening, August 23, 2014, at the Oakwood Health Care Center in Walterboro. She was the loving wife of forty-one years to the late Mr. James Franklin Starks at the time of his death in 1992.

Funeral services will be conducted 11:30 Wednesday morning, August 27, 2014, from Pleasant Grove Baptist Church, 7345 Jefferies Highway, Walterboro. Interment will follow in the churchyard.

The family will receive friends prior to the funeral ceremony Wednesday morning beginning at 10 o’clock in the sanctuary of Pleasant Grove Baptist Church.

Born January 29, 1931, a daughter of the late Ellis Hurd DeHay and the late Estelle Emma Hill DeHay, she was a native of Berkeley County having been a long time resident of Colleton County. Mrs. Starks was well known in Colleton County through her work and service to others as a Licensed Practical Nurse. Her work was her investment through countless hours dedicated to administering to the health of others during a career that began at in the Emergency Department of the old Walterboro Hospital, which later developed into the private practice sector having worked alongside Dr. VonLehe, Dr. Erwin, and Dr. Fender before eventually retiring from Oakwood Health Care Center in Walterboro. She was a member of Pleasant Grove Baptist Church in Walterboro, where in earlier years she was active in many aspects of the church’s work. She was also a member of the Beta Sigma Phi Sorority Rho Chapter of Walterboro, the Walterboro Elks Lodge, No. 1988 and also the Moose Lodge. Edna loved life and lived it to the fullest, surrounding herself with her family whom she dearly adored. Another pastime in her life that will always be remembered with great fondness is her passion for dancing.

Surviving are: her four children, Richard Starks (Elaine) of Columbia, Michael Starks of Walterboro, Jimi Sue Starks Priester (Willis) of Ruffin, and Terry Starks Nutt (Lou) of Beaufort; a brother, Buddy DeHay of St. Stevens; and three sisters, Betty Singletary (Rembert), Ruby Weatherford, and Janice Hutto (Johnny) all of Holly Hill. There are nine grandchildren, Jacquelyn Starks Gayle (Todd) of Columbia, Jonathan DeHay Starks of Columbia, Marissa Elizabeth Starks of Cincinnati, Ohio, Joshua Earl Starks stationed with the United States Air Force in Germany, James Burton Nutt of Beaufort, Jessica Estelle Nutt Jarrell (Josh) of Beaufort, Kimberly Suzette Gilmore Hughes of Goldsboro, North Carolina, Karen Nicole Gilmore Tripp (Kerry) of Walterboro, and Rebecca Megan Priester of Ruffin; and six great grandchildren, Heydan Carver Gayle, Connor James Gayle, Dalton Enoch Hughes, Garrett Wayne Hughes, Kennedy Sierra Burton, and Berkeley Nicole Tripp; as well as several nieces, nephews, and cousins that also survive. She was preceded in death by sister-in-law, Travis DeHay; and a brother-in-law, “Boots” Weatherford.

In lieu of flowers, the family has requested that memorial contributions be directed in her memory to: The Alzheimer’s Association, 225 North Michigan Avenue, Floor 17, Chicago, Illinois 60601.

Arrangements by: THE BRICE W. HERNDON AND SONS FUNERAL HOMES, WALTERBORO CHAPEL, 1193 Bells Highway, Walterboro, 843.538.5408. Visit the registry online at: www.briceherndonfuneralhome.com.

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