All schools in Upshur County will close at 1 p.m. today. All B-UHS sporting events today are canceled.

Mamie Georgelene Starkey

Mamie Georgelene Starkey, 86, of Buckhannon, W.Va. was unexpectedly called home to Jesus on Friday, July 26, 2019, following complications from heart surgery. 

She was born on March 22, 1933, in Pleasant Dale, W.Va., a daughter of the late Archie and Nellie Woody. 

In addition to her parents, she was also preceded in death by her beloved husband Clifton Starkey, Son Clifton “Butch” Starkey Jr, Brother Everett “Hen” Woody, grandsons: Phillip Kent Wiles, Michael Joe Starkey, Cliffy Tenney; granddaughter Becky Dawn Tenney; great great granddaughter Arianna Maria Starkey; and her longtime canine companion Loupy.

She is survived by her siblings: Wayman Woody, Charles Woody, Mary Meivogel, Sue Zoeffel, Dot Shaw, and Gay Johnston; her children:  Carol Jo Tenney of Charleston, W.Va., Tip and Debbie Starkey of Buckhannon, W.Va., Tish and Tinker Jackson of Buckhannon, W.Va., Tammy and Jeff Trump of Charleston, W.Va., and Tracy and Karl Burnside of Buckhannon, W.Va.; 14 grandchildren; 36 great grandchildren; four great great grandchildren; and her loyal dog Fancy who will miss her dearly.

Mamie was a sweet nurturing mother, wife and woman with unwavering faith in God. She loved attending service as a member of Tallmansville Baptist Church. She was a simple woman with hobbies that included gardening, researching her family’s genealogy, reading the bible, and astronomy. She was immensely proud of her grandchildren, great grandchildren and great great grandchildren’s accomplishments.

Mamie’s love for Jesus was reflected through all of her actions in life. In her final moments she exclaimed that Jesus was in the hallway walking with her.  Do not mourn for her but celebrate her life as Jesus walked her into the kingdom to rejoice in His glory. She is in a place without pain where happiness is in an abundance and the angels sing joy to receive such a precious soul.

John 14: 2-4 — “My Father’s house has many rooms; if that were not so, would I have told you that I am going there to prepare a place for you?  And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back and take you to be with me so that you also may be where I am.  You know the way to the place where I am going.”

The family extends great appreciation to WVU physician Dr. Chris Cook for all his efforts to save our mother.  Also, a special thanks to the Heart and Vascular Institute and staff, and the nurses of the ICU 3rd Floor.

The family will receive friends on Monday, July 29, 2019, from 5-8 p.m., at the Heavner and Cutright Funeral Chapel.  The funeral will be held on Tuesday, July 30, 2019, at 11 a.m., at the funeral chapel with Pastor Tim Lewis officiating.  Interment will follow in the Upshur County Memorial Park. 

In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations to a cause close to Mamie’s heart, America’s Gold Star Families Fund, 2426 W. Cornerstone Ct., Peoria, IL 61614, a military based foundation which provides a multitude of services for our soldiers and veterans. 

Online condolences may be extended to the Starkey family at www.heavnerandcutright.com. The Starkey family entrusted the Heavner and Cutright Funeral Chapel and Cremation Service with the arrangements.

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