John Alden Starnes

John Alden Starnes, age 77, of Jefferson City, TN went to be with the Lord Jesus Christ on 24 February 2014. He was born 27 March 1936 to Hazel Leora Cloyes and Thomas Albert Starnes of West Asheville, NC. John graduated from Ben Lippen High School in Asheville, NC. He subsequently attended Wayland Baptist College of Plainview, TX and Carson-Newman College where he received the BA degree in 1959. Starnes received the MEd from the College of William and Mary in Williamsburg, Virginia in 1967, and attained the EdS level from Old Dominion University of Norfolk, VA in 1973. He taught public school in Hampton, VA, and served as principal at Achilles Elementary School in Hayes, VA and Dare Elementary School in Grafton, VA for 15 years. Following his public school career, he also worked for the USPS as a rural mail carrier, and for Abbott Bus Lines as a driver. John accepted Jesus as Savior and Lord at a young age. He served for many years as an active deacon at Union Baptist Church in Achilles, VA and Craig Valley Baptist Church in New Castle, Virginia. He and his wife were leaders of the Craig County, VA Senior Citizens (TYTQ) for several years. In later years he served in the senior ministry at Mill Springs Baptist Church in Jefferson City, TN. He was a long term active Gideon. Starnes is preceded in death by parents, Thomas Albert and Hazel Cloyes Starnes, and brother Bert Starnes, Jr. He is survived by his wife of nearly 54 years, Carolyn Craig Williams Starnes; brothers, Cloyes (Mary Jo) Starnes and Hugh (Wanda) Starnes of Waynesville, NC; sister, Ruth (Phil) Moore of Harrisburg, NC; son and daughter in law, Dr. Alden and Mary Starnes of Jefferson City, TN; and grandchildren, Elizabeth Starnes of Knoxville, TN and Enoch Starnes of Nashville, TN. He is also survived by brothers-in-law, Hamilton (Lucy Jane) Williams of Hayes, VA, Douglas (Mary Lou) Williams of Gloucester, VA, Gary (Shirley) Barncord of Carrolton, VA; and a host of cousins, nieces, nephews and friends. Visitation will be from 9:00 a.m. until 11:00 a.m. on Saturday, March 1, 2014 at Mill Springs Baptist Church. Celebration of Life service will held at 11:00 a.m. led by Dr. Greg Lindsey, followed by preparation for the Lord’s second coming via burial services at the Mill Springs Baptist Church cemetery. In lieu of flowers, the family asks that memorials be made to Craig Valley Baptist Church, New Castle, VA and/or the Senior Ministry at Mill Springs Baptist Church, Jefferson City, TN. ARRANGEMENTS BY FARRAR FUNERAL HOME IN JEFFERSON CITY, TN 865-475-3892