Stella Starks

Stella Starks was a beloved mother, wife, grandmother, and friend. After a courageous 12-year battle with cancer, she passed away on June 26th surrounded by her family and loved ones.

A Celebration of Life will be held 11:00 AM Monday, July 01, 2024 in the chapel of McMullen Funeral Home and Crematory with Rev. Jerry Speer officiating. A private entombment will be held in Parkhill Cemetery. The family will receive friends Sunday evening from 5:00 to 7:00 PM at the funeral home and 10:00 to 10:50 AM prior to the service.

She was much more than the titles she has achieved throughout her long life. She was an athlete, a generous chef, a world traveler, a benevolent giver, a godly woman, and a courageous and selfless fighter. Stella felt one way a person’s legacy is defined is by teaching their children and grandchildren to give.  She said there were two types of people—takers and givers.  She said takers may eat better but givers sleep better!  She said your life will not be remembered by its duration but rather by its donation.  The duration of her life was 81 years.  The “donation” of her life can’t be measured because she was very private in the many people and organizations she helped.

Stella, often called Mom and Nana (and indirectly, the Matriarch of the Family), came from extremely humble beginnings. Stella was born from a farming family on February 7th, 1943, in McMinnville, Tennessee, Stella never forgot her roots. Always humble; always saving money for family; and always giving her time, money, and home cooked meals to charity, she was truly an American classic. The number of lives she has touched in her long life is truly countless.

Stella never let a soul she knew directly or indirectly go hungry. This is one way in which she showed her abundance of love. She would often say “to whom much is given much is expected!”  She and her family gave generously to multiple charities in several states. She and her family established scholarships at four schools to help dozens of young people attend college, and because of her great efforts, many more will continue to benefit.

She is survived by her loving husband, Wayne, and their four children: Cheryl, Duane, Robin and Chris, and her two sisters Jean and Brenda.  She will be deeply missed by her seven grandchildren, and one great grandchild who affectionately called her "Nana." Stella's memory will live on through her family, whose lives have been enriched by her unwavering love and support.

One of those scholarships—The Crossroads Scholarship—was established to honor her mother and father-in-law. Donations to that scholarship can be made to This Crossroads Scholarship, 169 Braxton Lane East, Hendersonville TN 37075.