Obituaries

Norma Jeannette Starr

Photo of Norma Jeannette Starr
NORMA JEANNETTE STARR, a former resident of Pine Bluff and Little Rock, died peacefully on Monday, March 27, 2017, in Columbus, Ohio, at the age of 85. She was preceded in death by her husband of 51 years, John Robert Starr, former managing editor of the Arkansas Democrat-Gazette. She also was preceded in death by a grandchild, Heather Starr Docherty of the United Kingdom, and a brother, Tim Lemons of Bryant, Ark. A former kindergarten teacher, Mrs. Starr earned her education degree from the University of Arkansas-Little Rock on the same day as her youngest son of Palatka, Fla., Rusty Starr, graduated from Arkansas State University. Other survivors include children, John P. Starr of Grand Junction, Colo., and Linda Starr of Lafayette, Colo; a sister, Patricia Lamneck of Powell, Ohio; eight grandchildren, Joshua Starr of Grand Junction, Joe Spillyards of Salida, Colo., Deke Spillyards of Salida, Brandon Starr of Palatka, Luke Spillyards of Lafayette, Jill Long of Colorado Springs, Colo., Amanda Staggs of Palatka and Daniel Starr of Melbourne, Fla.; six great grandchildren, Jace, Trevor and Haley Starr of Grand Junction, Derek Long of Colorado Springs and Annabelle and Amelia Staggs of Palatka. Other close survivors include daughters-in-law, Barbara Starr of Grand Junction and Tracye Starr of Palatka; a niece, Steffany Loper of Marion, Ohio, and her family Steve, Alexander and Jessica; grand son-in-laws, Chris Long of Colorado Springs and Josh Staggs of Palatka; and grand daughter-in-law Kelly Starr of Melbourne. No service is planned. Her ashes will be mixed with her husband's and family members will sprinkle them in places the deceased couple enjoyed most. That will include the Rocky Mountains and the St. Johns River in Florida. Mrs. Starr was born in Memphis, Tenn., and reared in Pine Bluff. She moved to Memphis after her marriage. The couple lived mostly in Little Rock before moving to Palatka in 1997. Mrs. Starr moved to Ohio a few years after her husband's death in 2000. The Starr family went to 48 states in four years ending in 1966. The love of travel remained including an around the globe adventure Mrs. Starr enjoyed with her husband. During the administration of Gov. Bill Clinton, Mrs. Starr served on a task force to reform public education in Arkansas. She served for numerous years as a justice of the peace for Pulaski County.

Published March 31, 2017

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