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Obituary For Mother Bessie M. Starkie
Well done, thy good and faithful servant. Enter thou into the joy of thy Lord.
Matthew 25:23
Mother Bessie M. Starkie, age 96, of Martinsville, Virginia, peacefully entered eternal rest on Saturday, August 1, 2026, at her residence, surrounded by the love and comfort of those who cherished her.
Bessie was a beloved mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, sister, and friend. Throughout her long and blessed life, she was a woman of strength, faith, and love. Her gentle spirit and caring heart touched the lives of many, and the memories she created with her family will be treasured for generations to come.
Bessie lived her life with a quiet grace, trusting in the Lord through every season. Her faith was a source of strength, and she found comfort in knowing that God was always with her. Though her earthly journey has come to an end, her soul has found eternal rest in the loving arms of her Heavenly Father.
Bessie was a faithful member of Meadowview A.M.E. Church where she served in a variety of capacities including Church Mother, a Missionary, Church Clerk, Stewardess, and a member of Sunday School. She retired from Fieldcrest Cannons after many devoted years of service. Bessie was a graduate of Henry County Training School. She attended Bluefield State College and Delaware State College.
Bessie was born in Martinsville, VA on March 3, 1930, to the late Lula Waller Penn. In addition to her mother, Bessie was preceded in death by her husband, William Henry Starkie; one daughter, Wanda Starkie, and two sons, Gregory Starkie and William βBirdβ Starkie.
She leaves to cherish her precious memory her loving children, Gwendolyn Cheatham King and her husband, Phillip, Minister Octavia Witcher and her husband, Donnie both of Martinsville, VA, Ponjolia Starkie of the home, and Nellie Jones of Washington, NC; One son, Geoffery Starkie of Martinsville, VA; nineteen grandchildren; thirty-eight great-grandchildren; eight great great grandchildren; one sister, Hortensia Washington of Martinsville, VA; extended family, and dear friends. Her legacy of love will continue through each life she touched.
As we mourn her passing, we also celebrate a life well lived and a soul well loved. We find comfort in God's promise that "to be absent from the body is to be present with the Lord." Bessie's earthly work is finished, and she has gained her heavenly reward.
A visitation service will be held on Saturday, August 8, 2026, at 11:30 a.m. with the funeral service at 12 noon at Refuge Temple Ministries, 205 Clearview Dr., Martinsville with Pastor Robin Hopkins, Eulogist. Interment will follow at Carver Memorial Gardens, 869 Parkway Dr., Martinsville.
The family will receive friends on Friday, August 7, 2026, at Hairston Funeral Home, 301 Fayette St., Martinsville between the hours of 1 p.m. until 5 p.m. Other times, the family will receive friends at the home of her sister, Hortensia Washington, 154 Washington Rd., Martinsville.
Courteous, efficient and dependable services provided by Hairston Funeral Home.
Send flowers to the service of Mother Bessie M. Starkie
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Condolences & Tributes
Add A CondolenceSending prayers and love to her entire family I'm so sorry for your loss I'm sorry I didn't get to attend her funeral just know that I'll keep you all in my prayers I love y'all ππ’β€οΈπ
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Sending our condolences and prayers to the entire family. May the Lord forever bless and comfort you all.
Today, I honor the beautiful life and loving spirit of Mama Bessie.
I will always remember the kindness, warmth, and unconditional love you showed me. Your gentle heart, encouraging words, and welcoming smile made everyone around you feel special. You had a way of making people feel like family, and I will forever be grateful for the love and compassion you shared with me.
Although your presence is deeply missed, your legacy of faith, strength, and love will continue to live on in the hearts of all who were blessed to know you. The memories we shared will always remind me of the wonderful person you were and the difference you made in so many lives.
As we remember and celebrate your life, I pray that God continues to comfort your family and all who loved you. May His peace surround them, His strength sustain them, and His promises bring hope during this time of loss.
"Blessed are those who mourn, for they shall be comforted." β Matthew 5:4
Rest peacefully, Mama Bessie. Thank you for the love you showed me. You will always hold a special place in my heart and will never be forgotten.
With love, gratitude, and heartfelt remembrance, Barbara Johnson
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To the family of Ms Bessie I send my condolences ms Bessie was a amazing woman she loved church and she loved to sing I remember one day I was at her house and she was singing she will be highly missed take your rest ms Bessie. RIP Mother MS.Bessie
Bessie was such a sweet soul. I always loved seeing her when we'd come to Eden to visit my grandparents. Much love and condolences to the family.
Bessie had a beautiful Spirit, and warming smile each time saw her.
I've known Mrs. Bessie my whole life, and lived beside her and the family at her home house. We've all had great times together. You all are in my heart and prayers!!!
Sending my sincere condolences during this season of bereavement. May God give you strength, comfort, and peace today and in the days ahead.
"MAY THE WORKS I HAVE DONE SPEAK FOR ME."Our sincere prayers and condolences are with you family. Love and many blessings.
My prayers ππΎ and Condolences to the Family. Natalie Wilson.
Mrs. Bessie was a precious jewel. Sympathy to her family.
Praying for the family. Good Christian Lady. RIP.
To Jeff, Octavia, and Shonda and the rest of the family you all have my deepest sympathy. Mrs. Bessie was a beautiful person inside and out. She will truly be missed β€οΈβπ©Ή
My sincere condolences are being extended to this wonderful family. Mrs. Bessie was such a sweet,humble and kind woman of God.She always greeted you with a beautiful smile. She was very soft spoken. I remember her well from the many years that she spent working at G.W Carver High School in Fieldale,VA. I knew her children. Her daughter Wanda graduated with me in the class of 1970. Family be encouraged. Your mother is now taking her much deserved rest. She lived a long life. God loves you and so do we. Norma Gravely and Lillie (Andrew) Wilson
My condolences. Blessings and prayers ππ½
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Bessie had a smile and countenance that lit up the room. She was a caring mother to her children and grandchildren as well as other children in her community. She loved to help prepare for holiday celebrations as much as she could. She loved her birthday and birthday celebrations. She always made sure I did not say "Good Bye" but "I'll See You Later" and she would blow me a kiss. She was a blessing to me. Moreso, she loved Jesus and had strong faith and hope. And because of this "I'll See You Later Bessie."
Sending heartfelt condolences to the family of Mother Bessie Starkie. Praying for the family in the days to come.
Our love and deepest sympathy to your family. Peter and Willie Mae Harris
May the works Mother Bessie done speak for her. She now rest in the loving arms of a sovereign God the one that she always loved to worship and give praise to. She will be missed and oh how she loved singing with the Parkway Choir she was always at rehearsal o that front row ready to lift her voice in praise and wherever we went Mother Bessie was there. She was faithful until the end now God has given her a crown. Well done Mother Bessie rest from your labor. Praying God will give the family strength and comfort like only He can give during this most difficult time. Love and Prayers Vincent Dillard
To the family of Mother Bessie M. Starkie, she was such a loving woman of God. So sweet and enduring. I am praying for you all and I offer you my sincere condolences. May God strengthen you, bless you and keep you. Peace and Blessings!
Deepest, dearest , heartfelt condolences to the family of Mrs. Bessie, one of our most beloved , dedicated, and devoted Fieldale hollow, Carver community mothers who we all have known and loved lifelong. We all have great memories and respect for her as our families have been lifelong friends. Mrs Bessie loved and served the Lord which she demonstrated through her service-filled life by serving the people in numerous ,various ways to all who knew her (and no doubt strangers too). She will ever be cherished and remembered for being a genuine trooper who hung in there which further demonstrates her strength and determination through her longevity.May God rest her soul and comfort/strengthen the family with the peace that passes ALL understanding. We love you all. ππ½π€ποΈβ¨ Sonji P. and Rudy R.
Prayers for the family, with love, John & Tammy
0ur prayers are with the family during this difficult time.
My sincere condolences to the family. Ms Bessie was such a sweet, kind lady, we all sang together in the community choir. Rest in peace Ms Bessie, you're singing in God's Heavenly Choir now.ππ«Άπ
Dear Starkie family, May your many loving memories of Miss Bessie comfort you all, now, and forever. Rhonda, Jade and Torrey
Sorry for your loss she was amazing lady praying for you all
Our staff will continue to keep your family in our prayers. We thank you for allowing us to serve your family.