Mary Starn Obituary

Mary O. Starn, 89, of Rivesville, WV passed away with her daughters by her side on Thursday, September 4, 2025, at Genesis Wishing Well. Our hearts are broken, but we find comfort in knowing that she is with the Lord and the loved ones that have gone on before her. It is a Great Homecoming and there is a lot of hugs and singing up in heaven.

She was born on January 4, 1936, at home in Rivesville (Sugar Lane). She is the last surviving child of the late Paul James, Sr. and Irene Marshall Wilson Radcliffe.

She attended grade school at Sugar Lane School House. She spoke often of the pot belly stove in the middle of the room and its warmth on winter days after a 3-mile hike to school. She graduated from Rivesville High School in 1956. Upon graduating she moved to Washington D.C. where she served as a government employee. But, in 1959 her heart eventually returned her back home for she was to marry the love of her life from childhood. After 26 years of service, in 1993, she retired from the sealbeam department of Westinghouse. She was a member of Morganland Chapel – Sugar Lane where she played the piano. Once Morganland closed she attended Catawba Methodist Church and Wesley Chapel.

She was her husband's right-hand helper. They did everything together: cut and stacked wood, gardening, canning, walks in the woods and planning family vacations. The only thing they didn't do together was put Christmas lights on the house, a job that dad dreaded every year. She devoted her wonderful heart of love to her husband, daughters, grandchildren, great grandchildren and close family that have gone on to Heaven. We will miss her terribly. We will miss her laughter, the music she played on the piano, her singing (Christmas songs all year long) and her feisty side, that we liked to bring out. She was someone who always thought of others first. She loved her family and made sure they had what they needed. She always had a hug and a kiss for her family. You knew you were loved.

She is survived by her husband of 65 years, Woodrow "Jack" Starn, daughters Rhonda (Jeff) Burdoff and Monica (Rick) Wright, grandchildren Derek (Porsha) Wright, Jordan Lynn Murphy and fiancé Nicholas Gough, great grandchildren Sydney Claire and Jack Wright, sister-in-law Judy Starn, brother-in-law Robert "Bob" and Merry Starn and several nieces and nephews.

In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her grandson Matthew A Murphy, and two brothers Donnie Rae and Paul James Radcliffe.

The family would like to extend our heartfelt thankfulness to the amazing staff at Wishing Well. Your love and devotion to Mary will always remain in our grateful hearts.

Family and friends are welcome to gather at Carpenter & Ford Funeral Home, 209 Merchant Street, on Tuesday September 9, 2025, from 10:00 am until the time of the service at 2:00 pm. Pastor Roy Weese will be officiating, and a burial will follow at the Radcliffe Cemetery in Rivesville.

Carpenter & Ford Funeral Home is honored to serve the Starn family.

Memories and condolences can be left for the family at www.carpenterandford.com

C.T. Studd a British missionary wrote "only one life twill soon be past, only what's done for Christ will last." She loved and served the Lord from a very young age. Her testimony of faith will last with those who knew her.