Irene McNeese Starks

"I am nearer than you think" was the opening phrase of the devotional Irene McNeese Starks read with a smile on her face, 18 July 2018, the day her Heavenly Father commanded his angels, "Go get her". Her body was 78 years old, but her spirit belonged to that of someone significantly younger. She passed sooner than expected, though exactly as she wanted; peacefully from her home on "G" Street. Part of her heavenly welcoming party would have been her parents, Robert Thomas McNeese and Nellie Loraine King McNeese, to whom she was born 1 February 1940 in Walnut Ridge. Her devoted husband, companion, and friend of 53 1/2 years, Bill Starks Sr., was undoubtedly waiting for her, front and center. Irene's four older and two younger siblings would have rounded out this party: Frank, Thomas, and Billy Joe McNeese, Barbara Ward, Richard "Sonny" McNeese, and Carolyn Bentley. Remaining to carry on her legacy hallmarked by love, courage, industriousness, integrity, and optimism are her well-loved children: Vicki Starks Feliu (Jose) of Dunn, N.C., Billy Starks, Jr. (Brigetta) of North Little Rock, and Jeffery Starks (Stacy) of Sherwood. Additionally, Nanny had five of the most cherished grandkids that ever were: Brandie Feliu Slagle (Todd) of Cary, N.C., Stephanie Starks Hale (Brian) of Sherwood, Braden Starks of North Little Rock, Taylor Starks and Jonathan Starks, both of Sherwood. Besides these, Irene had a host of nieces, nephews, neighbors, and friends who loved her dearly. Notably, Anne Starks Thompson and Stacy Cheek, nieces loved like daughters, and decades long family friend, Frankie Campbell, a third son. The current 4-legged love and constant companion in Irene's life was a goateed little Shih Tzu named Toby Keith, who has his master's knack for making all he encounters feel like family. Irene worked her entire life to help support her family, beginning with her mother and several siblings in her early life and progressing later to her family with Bill. From cotton fields at the age of 9 to seamstressing at Ottenheimers to finally retiring as a Wal-Mart associate after 34 years, Irene learned well how to make the most of whatever resources she had, be they emotional, physical, or financial. This quality stood her in great stead her entire life. She was the ultimate confidante, a trusted and safe place those close to her knew they could go with no fear of judgement, recrimination, or breaches of confidence. Irene was a natural optimist, someone who perpetually viewed the glass as half full, not empty, and the day partly sunny, not cloudy. This propensity allowed her to feel genuine contentment and kept her in a state of gratefulness, making possible the always ready laugh and "can do" spirit those who knew and loved her would tell you were infectious. In what turned out to be her last day with us in this life, Irene was asked by palliative care staff what her understanding of her situation was to which she unwaveringly replied, "Well, what I understand is that I'm gonna die…but so are you and so are you. The way I look at it, I'm gonna live my life as best I can until the Good Lord takes me." Her words bear out the unshakeable faith at the core of her being, her absolute certainty of her place in eternity, and her acknowledgement of God as the holder of her, and of all of our, days. Her absence from us here, who knew and unavoidably then loved her, leaves a gaping void but…Heaven has never been so entertained. A Memorial Service will be at 11 a.m., Friday, July 27, 2018 at Roller-Owens Funeral Home, 5509 John F. Kennedy Blvd., North Little Rock. With a visitation at 10:30 a.m. Online guestbook: www.rollerfuneralhomes.com/owens.