Obituary of Walter Lee Starks

January 16, 1934 – March 3, 2023

Walter Lee Starks passed away in Tucson, AZ on Friday, March 3, 2023. Walter was born on January 16, 1934, in Sardis, Mississippi to Ethel and Louise Starks. He grew up in Sardis, MS and accepted the lord Jesus Christ at an early age. Walter graduated from Walton Chapel High School. After graduation he enlisted in the Air Force, where he served during the Korean War. Following his honorable discharge from the Air Force in 1958, he relocated to Gary IN where he went to work for US Steel Gary Works. After 30 years of service, he retired as a senior rail inspector. Walter had an amazing gift for carpentry and a vision for beautiful architectural creations. In his past time, he loved traveling, the outdoors, fishing, building model cars, listening to his wide library of music, and being “granddaddy” to his grandchildren. Prior to his relocation to Tucson AZ in 2012, he was an active member at New Mt. Moriah Baptist Church. There he served as a Trustee and sang in the male chorus. Several months prior to his passing, he became a member of Rising Star Baptist Church in Tucson, AZ.

Walter is preceded in death by his parents Ethel and Louise Starks, brothers Charles Lee Starks, Robert Earl Starks, and sister Lizzie Mae Morgan. He is survived by his daughters Sherrie L. Garth, Tanya L. Bryan (Kevin Bryan), and Yvonne Starks; his former wife Doris Starks of 32 years; siblings Willie-Eva Hatley of Crenshaw MS and Leeola (Chris) Taylor, Memphis TN. He is also survived by two grandchildren Jori (Christopher) Coffee and Alexis (Derek) Newman; two great-grandchildren Kree Coffee and Bailey Newman; and a host of nieces, nephews, family, and friends. Walter was a loving dad and a good friend to many. He will be greatly missed.

The family of Walter Starks is grateful for the acknowledgement all your support and acts of kindness extended to us. We want to express our heartfelt gratitude and thank you for all your sympathy during our time of bereavement.

We know to be absent from the body is to be present with the Lord, 2 Corinthians 5:8 (NKJV)