Nov. 20, 1936 – Dec. 8, 2018

MEMPHIS, Tenn. —  A service celebrating the life of Beth S. Starnes, 82, of Memphis, Tenn., who died Saturday, Dec. 8, 2018, after a brief illness, will be 11 a.m. Saturday at Memorial Park Funeral Home in Memphis, with the Rev. Chris Carter officiating.       
Visitation will be from 10 a.m. until service time at the funeral home.
Mrs. Starnes was born Nov. 20, 1936, the daughter of Chester and Ruth Strahan.
A native of Natchez, she spent most of her life in Jacksonville, Fla., after graduating from Mississippi State College for Women. She later attended the University of Mississippi and obtained her master of education. Most of her career was spent, first, as a middle school English teacher and later, as a high school guidance counselor. Upon her retirement, she served as an admissions advisor at the University of North Florida for a number of years.
Beth was a loving wife, devoted mother and grandmother and trusted friend. She loved to laugh and hear good stories and was an accomplished storyteller herself.
Starnes was preceded in death by her parents and husbands, Robert C. Smith (Lt. j.g. U.S. Navy) and Ted E. Starnes.
Survivors include two sons, Rob Starnes and wife, Donna, of Memphis, and Tim Starnes of Grapevine, Texas; and three grandchildren, Caldwell Starnes and wife, Carol, and Eleanor Starnes, all of Atlanta, and Henry Starnes and wife, Georgia, of Dallas.
The family requests that in lieu of flowers, any memorials be sent to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital.