Hugh Starnes

Maggie Valley - Hugh 'Rip' Starnes, 83, went to be with his Heavenly Father on June 30, 2016 while surrounded by his family at the VA Hospice Center in Asheville, NC. He is survived by his wife of 55 years, Wanda; three sons, Mark Starnes of Augusta, GA, Stephen Starnes (Becky) of Greensboro, NC and Chris Starnes (Lisa) of Tallahassee, FL and seven grandchildren, Ashley Carver (Curtis) as well as Hannah, Isaac, Caleb, Drew, Devin and EmmaLin Starnes. He is survived by a brother Reverend Cloyes Starnes (Mary Jo) of Waynesville; a sister, Ruth Moore (Reverend Phil) of Clearwater, FL; and a sister-in-law, Craig Starnes, of Jefferson City, TN. Born and raised in Asheville, he was the son of the late Bert and Hazel Starnes and was also preceded in death by two brothers Bert Starnes, Jr. and John Starnes. He attended Ben Lippen School, Wayland Baptist College, Carson-Newman College, and UNC-Chapel Hill. He served in the US Army in Germany. Mr. Starnes spent his career serving both the North Carolina and the Florida Baptist Children's Homes. He was a member of the Encouraging Word Baptist Church of Waynesville and was an active Gideon. He had volunteered (along with his wife) at The Billy Graham Training Center at The Cove for the past 12 years and coordinated the Billy Graham Television Telephone Ministry in the Waynesville and Maggie Valley areas. Mr. Starnes loved the Lord and had a passion for sharing his faith and introducing others to Christ. A memorial service will be held at 3:00 p.m. on Sunday, July 3, 2016 in the Waynesville Chapel of Wells Funeral Home with Reverend Dr. Gary Hearon and Reverend Michael Horton officiating. Military rites will be conducted immediately following the service by the Haywood County Honor Guard. Receiving of friends will be at the funeral home on Sunday from 1:00 until 2:45 p.m. prior to services. Burial will be at the WNC State Veterans Cemetery in Black Mountain, North Carolina. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to the Florida Baptist Children's Homes, North Carolina Baptist Children's Homes, Gideons International or the Encouraging Word Baptist Church.

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