Shirley Starnes wrote her own memories to share before passing on January 17, 2021:

I was born on July 17, 1934, in our house on West Papin St, City of St. Louis. As a toddler, my mother entered me in a baby contest, which I did not win due to ‘shinitis,’ meaning a shiny nose. I attended St. Cronan’s Parochial Grammar School in St. Louis, where I met my future husband in second grade. Upon graduation, I attended Rosati Kain High School on Lindell Blvd. in St. Louis, where upon graduation I began my career as a secretary. My first job was with a paint company owned by a female who was really a sharp businessperson. She had a car she had decorated the roof with wallpaper and had me pick up tickets for her for different occasions in the city. And I loved this part of my job. One time I went by my house to show off the car to my mother; she was impressed. I left this job to marry Eric, who was in the Navy, and we lived in California for a few months before he left to join his crew on a destroyer heading for Korea.

Our marriage produced three sons: Mark Kevin, who passed away in 1956 at age 5 months, Kevin and Michael. These boys provided a wonderful life for us.

Survivors are Eric C. Starnes, Kevin and Heather Pfeil, Michael (Kathy); grandchildren: Douglas (Christy), Christopher (Diana), Matthew of Boston, Ashley, and Katie; great-grandchildren: Austin in U.S. Army, Grant, Sil, Charlene Cross; nieces and nephew; Borgard cousins, family of deceased Bus and Kathleen; special friends: Doris Hagan, Joe and Evelyn Reker, Margie and Bill Crow; friends in Washington, Missouri; and all our new friends from Our Lady of the Lake Catholic Church, especially Dawnell and Robert. See you soon Mother, Dad, Bob, Dodie, Ceil, Ray, and Mel.

Arrangements and cremation are under the direction of Cremations of the Ozarks. To leave an online condolence, please visit www.cremationsoftheozarks.com.