Virginia Lee Starks

Virginia Ramsey Starks, 93, of Garner, passed away peacefully from dementia at Avendelle Assisted Living in Cary, NC, on January 27, 2024.

Virginia (Ginny) Starks was born on the family farm north of Butler, Oklahoma. Ginny met her future husband Paul C. Starks, who was teaching in a one room schoolhouse in Osceola, Oklahoma. He picked her out from her other 2 sisters as the one he wanted to marry. She was 16 and he was 24. They married in 1946 and moved to Norman, Oklahoma to finish their education. Upon Paul’s graduation from the University of Oklahoma and hers from Norman High School, they moved to Bartlesville, Oklahoma where they raised their three children.

Virginia worked nights at the Examiner Enterprise newspaper while Paul fed and diapered the kids. After that she worked at the Bureau of Mines as a specialist typist, typing papers for chemists. In 1967 they moved to Amarillo to begin a new career opening a Ditch Witch equipment dealership. She worked in their office and he sold and repaired equipment. They were a team their whole married lives. Their last move was to Garner, NC in 1970 to continue growing their business with a larger territory and adding family to the business.

Proceeding Virginia in death was her husband, Paul C. Starks of 69 years; her parents, Frank and Hazel Ramsey; brother, Buford Ramsey; and sisters, Twila Roper, Judy Goldsberry, Zettie Kauk, Janice Hadley and daughter-in-law, Judy Starks.

Virginia is survived by her daughters, Paula Guthrie (Scott), Susie Wilkey (Travis); son, Paul Clifford Starks Jr.; granddaughters, Jennifer Brezina (Paul), Brooke Morgan (Eric), Paige Rodriguez (Jay), Megan Hafner (Scott), Holly Starks; grandson, Michael Guthrie (Kathryn); great-grandchildren, Will, Caroline, Zach, Eli, Jace, Sylvie, Claire and Thomas; brother, Delano Ramsey (Judy); sister, Darlene Gooch (Ernest) along with several nieces and nephews and a lifetime of friends.

Ginny loved being outside watering her flowers and working. She and Paul loved entertaining the grand kids and were always ready to play hand and foot or wahoo. She was a great cook and known for her fried chicken.

Above everything else, Ginny knew and loved her Savior, Jesus Christ and we are grateful she is with him.

A funeral service will be held at 11 am on Saturday, February 3, 2024 at Bryan-Lee Funeral Home, 1200 Benson Road, Garner NC 27529. She will be laid to rest beside her husband at Pinecrest Memorial Park in Clayton in a private ceremony for the family.