Carolyn Starnes Obituary, Death Cause – Our grandma, Carolyn Starnes, passed suddenly under mysterious circumstances yesterday, and it is with a heavy heart that we share this news with you. Nana was special to a great number of individuals, and she loved each and every one of them dearly. The knowledge that she is in the loving arms of our creator and that she is racing those streets of gold with her partner in crime, Henry, also known as Papa, is a great source of comfort to us. We shall miss her terribly. Pray for us in the coming days as we make preparations for a memorial service to honor the life of the woman who took great pleasure in celebrating.
Her family relocated to Chino, California, when she graduated from high school in 1954. It was there that she met the man who would become the love of her life, Mack Robert Starnes, who was known to everyone as “Joe.” They had been courting for seven years before they tied the knot on August 19, 1964, and as Grandma would say, “The rest is history.” Clifton, Colorado became Joe and Yvonne’s new home in the year 1968. It was on 86 acres that they purchased their first home. Their journey through Colorado started with this. The qualities of warmth and hospitality were innate to Yvonne. When they first started out, they maintained a guest book.
Over one hundred visitors were greeted by them after they had lived in Colorado for a year. People would frequently visit them at their house, and Yvonne would always ask, “Would you like me to prepare you something to eat?” She was a passionate cook. She continued to cook and take care of her family even throughout the week that she was staying at home. Yvonne was employed as a secretary and bookkeeper for the Pomona, California public school system before she left her position.
In addition, after coming to Colorado, she accepted a position as the secretary at Grand Junction High School. As soon as her sons Kelly and Mark began attending school, Yvonne expressed a desire to work alongside them while they were receiving their education. As a result, Yvonne spent 10 years working as a teacher at Life Academy Christian School, where she is currently employed.
Additionally, Yvonne “kept” or babysat a sizable number of children in her residence. People in her family and circle of acquaintances joke that she has given birth to half of the Grand Valley. The term “Nonnie” is used affectionately by a number of grown children. Yvonne was a devout believer of Jesus Christ throughout her life. Her price is significantly more than that of rubies (Proverbs 31:10). The depth of her love for both the Lord and for humanity was truly remarkable.
They brought up their children to attend church whenever the doors were open, and Joe and Yvonne did just that. There were a number of ministries that she participated in alongside Joe and her boys. These ministries included youth ministry, children’s ministry, and preaching and singing at nursing homes located around the Grand Valley. For a number of years, Yvonne was in charge of the food ministry.
People began to refer to it as the “Noodle Ministry.” Every time someone was in need, Yvonne was the first one to bring them some chicken and dumplings at the restaurant. According to the King James Version of the Bible (KJV), Proverbs 31:28, her children get up and call her blessed, and her husband also praises her.
There were many people who adored Yvonne, but her husband, sons, daughters-in-love, and grandchildren were the ones who loved her the most. On the other hand, Yvonne is survived by her husband Joe Starnes, her son Kelly Starnes and his wife Cindy, her son Mark Starnes and his wife Amy, her brother L.C. Kelley of California, her grandchildren Rylan Starnes (16), Alaina Starnes (15), and Luke Starnes (11), a large number of cherished nieces, nephews, and cousins, her cherished church family at Gospel Ministries Center, and the many people who call her “Momma.”
