Shirley Starkey

Shirley Starkey, 89, of Wellston, Ohio, passed away on Thursday morning, February 13, 2025, at Jenkins Care Community in Wellston. She was born in Wellston on August 7, 1935, to the late Winters "Winn" Kinsel and Rebecca Allen Kinsel. She was a 1953 graduate of Wellston High School where she was so proud to have been head majorette of the Wellston Golden Rockets Marching Band. She participated over the years in many of the high school alumni band performances as head majorette. Shirley worked several jobs and retired from the U.S. Postal Service as a RFD mail carrier. She was also a substitute bus driver and full time cook for Wellston City Schools from where she retired at age 87. In her free time, she  was also one of the best line dancers ever and was a member of the Wellston Wranglers Club. Besides her parents, she was preceded in death on September 23, 2017, by her husband of 62 years, Bill Starkey; her daughter, Brenda Kay Starkey Henry, on August 20, 2016; and her sister, Mary Lou Partee ( Ronnie ) McMillen, on March 28, 2008. She is survived by her son and daughter-in-law, Billy and Lynn Starkey of Jackson; son-in-law, Rick L. Henry of Wellston; seven grandchildren : Amie ( Kent ) Channell; B.J. ( Priscilla ) Starkey, Jamie ( Leah ) McWhorter, Kristen ( Jake ) Taylor, Nicholas ( Lana ) Starkey, Patty Henry, and Jason Henry; fourteen great grandchildren; and nieces and nephews. Shirley adamantly requested that no formal viewing or services be held following her passing. Therefore, the family has planned a gathering for family, friends, and everyone to come and share their memories of Shirley at the Jenkins Funeral Chapel in Wellston on Monday, February 17, from 4 until 7 P.M. The family has requested in lieu of flowers to mail a donation in Shirley's memory to : Wellston City Schools, admin. building, 1 East Broadway St., Wellston, Ohio 45692. Please denote that the donation is for the Wellston Golden Rockets Marching Band. Cremation arrangements are by the Jenkins Funeral Chapel. Online condolences may be made at www.samjenkinsfuneralchapel.com