From "The Charlotte Observer"
HERMAN STARNES
Monroe, NC -- Mr. Starnes, age 89, passed away Sunday (April 27, 2008) at the Brian Center of Monroe.
A Service to Celebrate the Life of Herman Starnes will be conducted at 2:00 PM Wednesday (April 30, 2008) at Benton Heights Presbyterian Church, officiated by Reverend Paul Saleeby. Interment will follow at Lakeland Memorial Park Cemetery.
Mr. Starnes was born on March 19, 1919, in Union County, a son of the late John Hurley Starnes and Cantie Plyler Starnes.
Mr. Starnes was employed with Springs Industries as an expeditor the last 35 years prior to retirement. He was the family historian and genealogist, published the genealogy of his maternal lineage, "The Plyler Genealogy 1688-1965", and was co-author of his paternal lineage "Of Them That Left A Name Behind," dating back to 1665.
He was past editor of The Starnes Triennial Association News Letter, had articles published in 'SCV Ancestor Album'; 'State Troops and Volunteer NC Civil War Soldiers' genealogical articles in 'The Heritage of Union County NC' book I and II; 'Antecedents and Descendants of Richard Deese.' He was a charter member and first treasurer of 'The Carolinas Genealogical Society;' a member of SCV; MOSB; 'General Society of Colonial Wars'; 'The Union County Historical Society'; 'Scottish Society of the Waxhaws' and an Elder in the Presbyterian Church.
In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his wife of 47 years Maude Deese Starnes; brothers, C. Dudley Starnes, Douglas Starnes, twin brother Hershel Starnes; and a sister, Julia Mae Starnes McManus.
Survivors include one son, Michael D. Starnes and wife, Jane Starnes of Monroe; one granddaughter, Meredith Brooke Starnes of Monroe; a sister, Eleanor Starnes Hammonds and husband, John Hammonds of Monroe; a step-sister, Libby H. Thomas and husband, Addison Thomas of Waxhaw; two brothers, Ralph Starnes and wife, Hazel Starnes of Monroe and John H . Starnes and wife, Paula Starnes of Houston, TX.
_____________________________________________
My Tribute to Herman Starnes (1919-2008)
The Bible tells us "Hearken to me, ye that follow after righteousness, ye that seek the Lord: look unto the rock whence ye are hewn..." Isaiah 51:1
For a lifetime of research, Herman Starnes looked to the rock from whence our family was hewn. When I walked beside this quiet, unassuming man, through the graveyards and groves of Union County, he imparted to me a vision.... a vision of a people who worked hard, who carved a life out of the wilderness, who loved God, loved their children, and loved their neighbors, who faced the adversities and tragedies of life with an unquenchable faith and courage and a quiet dignity. Herman gave me a vision of my people. He let me see the rock from whence I was hewn.....and I thank him for that. And I thank God for the great blessing it was to know Herman.
Herman was unfailingly kind and generous, and always ready to share his lifetime of research with anyone. He was always willing to go traipsing around the county, even in miserably hot weather, to show you churches and graves and the sites of old home places. And he was always gracious and hospitable....and would tell you stories to make you roll on the floor laughing, too.
I remember once I was complaining about the discrepancies in the census records, and Herman had a witty reply that explained it all to me. He said "Well, you have to remember, these folks, the census takers, were going from door to door, from dawn to dusk. The ideas of hospitality being what they were in the South in those days, more often than not, they'd be offered some refreshment.... a glass of sherry at one house, a swig from a jug at a cabin down the road. I reckon it's a wonder they could write their own names by the end of the day, much less anybody else's!"
Ah, Herman, you will be missed! Back last fall, the Starnes Triennial Association dedicated a monument at the Old Starnes cemetery in Union County. Herman was ill at the time, but he was able to attend, and to unveil the monument in a cemetery where many of our early Starnes ancestors are buried... a cemetery that was abandoned and grown over for many years, until Herman got folks interested in preserving it. I wasn't able to attend the ceremony; but I thought at the time, "I will go see Herman sometime soon." I didn't, and I will always regret it. I hope he knew....and knows....how much he meant to me...and to so many others.
In the Bible, God said to Abraham, "And thou shalt go to thy fathers in peace; thou shalt be buried in a good old age." (Genesis 15:15). And, so it was for Herman. He was 89 when God called him to join the ancestors whose stories Herman had passed on to future generations.. 89 years, 1 month and 8 days, as it would have been inscribed on the old tombstones. (Or would it be 9 days, since March has 31 days?... As with so many, many things, Herman would know, but I don't.)
When I visited Herman at his charming home on Wilson Street in Monroe, I always got the impression that there was another presence there....a voice he was listening for that he couldn't quite hear anymore. I never met his wife of 47 years, Maude Deese Starnes, as she died before I met Herman. Still, I always kind of felt her presence there.... and felt that Herman was listening for her, waiting for her.
And so, they are together again.... along with all the others that Herman made live for me in his telling about their lives. The ancient Starnes have welcomed to them one of their own....and what rejoicing there must have been!
I do not mourn for Herman, for I have faith in the Promise that he is in a better Place, where one day I hope to meet him again.... But I do mourn for myself...and for the fact that this weary world is less bright and hopeful without Herman in it. Yet he will live on here in the lives of those who knew and loved him.
Herman and Gerry Starnes named the amazing book that they wrote on the history of the Starnes family "Of Them That Left A Name Behind." The title comes from Ecclesiasticus, "There be of them, that left a name behind them, that their praises might be reported. And some there be, that have no memorial; who are perished, as though they had never been born; and their children after them.” Herman made sure, to the best of his ability, that our ancestors would not perish without a memorial to them. Perhaps that memorial, that he worked on for so many long years, is the best memorial for Herman himself.
And there's a passage from an old poem that I think Herman might would leave as his instructions to those of us who remain to carry on his work: "To you from failing hands we throw...The torch; be yours to hold it high..." Hold high the torch, my kinsmen, and let not the name, and the honor, of your fathers perish from the earth. We owe that to them....and to Herman.
John Field Pankow
Asheville, NC
HERMAN STARNES
Monroe, NC -- Mr. Starnes, age 89, passed away Sunday (April 27, 2008) at the Brian Center of Monroe.
A Service to Celebrate the Life of Herman Starnes will be conducted at 2:00 PM Wednesday (April 30, 2008) at Benton Heights Presbyterian Church, officiated by Reverend Paul Saleeby. Interment will follow at Lakeland Memorial Park Cemetery.
Mr. Starnes was born on March 19, 1919, in Union County, a son of the late John Hurley Starnes and Cantie Plyler Starnes.
Mr. Starnes was employed with Springs Industries as an expeditor the last 35 years prior to retirement. He was the family historian and genealogist, published the genealogy of his maternal lineage, "The Plyler Genealogy 1688-1965", and was co-author of his paternal lineage "Of Them That Left A Name Behind," dating back to 1665.
He was past editor of The Starnes Triennial Association News Letter, had articles published in 'SCV Ancestor Album'; 'State Troops and Volunteer NC Civil War Soldiers' genealogical articles in 'The Heritage of Union County NC' book I and II; 'Antecedents and Descendants of Richard Deese.' He was a charter member and first treasurer of 'The Carolinas Genealogical Society;' a member of SCV; MOSB; 'General Society of Colonial Wars'; 'The Union County Historical Society'; 'Scottish Society of the Waxhaws' and an Elder in the Presbyterian Church.
In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his wife of 47 years Maude Deese Starnes; brothers, C. Dudley Starnes, Douglas Starnes, twin brother Hershel Starnes; and a sister, Julia Mae Starnes McManus.
Survivors include one son, Michael D. Starnes and wife, Jane Starnes of Monroe; one granddaughter, Meredith Brooke Starnes of Monroe; a sister, Eleanor Starnes Hammonds and husband, John Hammonds of Monroe; a step-sister, Libby H. Thomas and husband, Addison Thomas of Waxhaw; two brothers, Ralph Starnes and wife, Hazel Starnes of Monroe and John H . Starnes and wife, Paula Starnes of Houston, TX.
_____________________________________________
My Tribute to Herman Starnes (1919-2008)
The Bible tells us "Hearken to me, ye that follow after righteousness, ye that seek the Lord: look unto the rock whence ye are hewn..." Isaiah 51:1
For a lifetime of research, Herman Starnes looked to the rock from whence our family was hewn. When I walked beside this quiet, unassuming man, through the graveyards and groves of Union County, he imparted to me a vision.... a vision of a people who worked hard, who carved a life out of the wilderness, who loved God, loved their children, and loved their neighbors, who faced the adversities and tragedies of life with an unquenchable faith and courage and a quiet dignity. Herman gave me a vision of my people. He let me see the rock from whence I was hewn.....and I thank him for that. And I thank God for the great blessing it was to know Herman.
Herman was unfailingly kind and generous, and always ready to share his lifetime of research with anyone. He was always willing to go traipsing around the county, even in miserably hot weather, to show you churches and graves and the sites of old home places. And he was always gracious and hospitable....and would tell you stories to make you roll on the floor laughing, too.
I remember once I was complaining about the discrepancies in the census records, and Herman had a witty reply that explained it all to me. He said "Well, you have to remember, these folks, the census takers, were going from door to door, from dawn to dusk. The ideas of hospitality being what they were in the South in those days, more often than not, they'd be offered some refreshment.... a glass of sherry at one house, a swig from a jug at a cabin down the road. I reckon it's a wonder they could write their own names by the end of the day, much less anybody else's!"
Ah, Herman, you will be missed! Back last fall, the Starnes Triennial Association dedicated a monument at the Old Starnes cemetery in Union County. Herman was ill at the time, but he was able to attend, and to unveil the monument in a cemetery where many of our early Starnes ancestors are buried... a cemetery that was abandoned and grown over for many years, until Herman got folks interested in preserving it. I wasn't able to attend the ceremony; but I thought at the time, "I will go see Herman sometime soon." I didn't, and I will always regret it. I hope he knew....and knows....how much he meant to me...and to so many others.
In the Bible, God said to Abraham, "And thou shalt go to thy fathers in peace; thou shalt be buried in a good old age." (Genesis 15:15). And, so it was for Herman. He was 89 when God called him to join the ancestors whose stories Herman had passed on to future generations.. 89 years, 1 month and 8 days, as it would have been inscribed on the old tombstones. (Or would it be 9 days, since March has 31 days?... As with so many, many things, Herman would know, but I don't.)
When I visited Herman at his charming home on Wilson Street in Monroe, I always got the impression that there was another presence there....a voice he was listening for that he couldn't quite hear anymore. I never met his wife of 47 years, Maude Deese Starnes, as she died before I met Herman. Still, I always kind of felt her presence there.... and felt that Herman was listening for her, waiting for her.
And so, they are together again.... along with all the others that Herman made live for me in his telling about their lives. The ancient Starnes have welcomed to them one of their own....and what rejoicing there must have been!
I do not mourn for Herman, for I have faith in the Promise that he is in a better Place, where one day I hope to meet him again.... But I do mourn for myself...and for the fact that this weary world is less bright and hopeful without Herman in it. Yet he will live on here in the lives of those who knew and loved him.
Herman and Gerry Starnes named the amazing book that they wrote on the history of the Starnes family "Of Them That Left A Name Behind." The title comes from Ecclesiasticus, "There be of them, that left a name behind them, that their praises might be reported. And some there be, that have no memorial; who are perished, as though they had never been born; and their children after them.” Herman made sure, to the best of his ability, that our ancestors would not perish without a memorial to them. Perhaps that memorial, that he worked on for so many long years, is the best memorial for Herman himself.
And there's a passage from an old poem that I think Herman might would leave as his instructions to those of us who remain to carry on his work: "To you from failing hands we throw...The torch; be yours to hold it high..." Hold high the torch, my kinsmen, and let not the name, and the honor, of your fathers perish from the earth. We owe that to them....and to Herman.
John Field Pankow
Asheville, NC
From "The Charlotte Observer"
HERMAN STARNES
Monroe, NC -- Mr. Starnes, age 89, passed away Sunday (April 27, 2008) at the Brian Center of Monroe.
A Service to Celebrate the Life of Herman Starnes will be conducted at 2:00 PM Wednesday (April 30, 2008) at Benton Heights Presbyterian Church, officiated by Reverend Paul Saleeby. Interment will follow at Lakeland Memorial Park Cemetery.
Mr. Starnes was born on March 19, 1919, in Union County, a son of the late John Hurley Starnes and Cantie Plyler Starnes.
Mr. Starnes was employed with Springs Industries as an expeditor the last 35 years prior to retirement. He was the family historian and genealogist, published the genealogy of his maternal lineage, "The Plyler Genealogy 1688-1965", and was co-author of his paternal lineage "Of Them That Left A Name Behind," dating back to 1665.
He was past editor of The Starnes Triennial Association News Letter, had articles published in 'SCV Ancestor Album'; 'State Troops and Volunteer NC Civil War Soldiers' genealogical articles in 'The Heritage of Union County NC' book I and II; 'Antecedents and Descendants of Richard Deese.' He was a charter member and first treasurer of 'The Carolinas Genealogical Society;' a member of SCV; MOSB; 'General Society of Colonial Wars'; 'The Union County Historical Society'; 'Scottish Society of the Waxhaws' and an Elder in the Presbyterian Church.
In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his wife of 47 years Maude Deese Starnes; brothers, C. Dudley Starnes, Douglas Starnes, twin brother Hershel Starnes; and a sister, Julia Mae Starnes McManus.
Survivors include one son, Michael D. Starnes and wife, Jane Starnes of Monroe; one granddaughter, Meredith Brooke Starnes of Monroe; a sister, Eleanor Starnes Hammonds and husband, John Hammonds of Monroe; a step-sister, Libby H. Thomas and husband, Addison Thomas of Waxhaw; two brothers, Ralph Starnes and wife, Hazel Starnes of Monroe and John H . Starnes and wife, Paula Starnes of Houston, TX.
_____________________________________________
My Tribute to Herman Starnes (1919-2008)
The Bible tells us "Hearken to me, ye that follow after righteousness, ye that seek the Lord: look unto the rock whence ye are hewn..." Isaiah 51:1
For a lifetime of research, Herman Starnes looked to the rock from whence our family was hewn. When I walked beside this quiet, unassuming man, through the graveyards and groves of Union County, he imparted to me a vision.... a vision of a people who worked hard, who carved a life out of the wilderness, who loved God, loved their children, and loved their neighbors, who faced the adversities and tragedies of life with an unquenchable faith and courage and a quiet dignity. Herman gave me a vision of my people. He let me see the rock from whence I was hewn.....and I thank him for that. And I thank God for the great blessing it was to know Herman.
Herman was unfailingly kind and generous, and always ready to share his lifetime of research with anyone. He was always willing to go traipsing around the county, even in miserably hot weather, to show you churches and graves and the sites of old home places. And he was always gracious and hospitable....and would tell you stories to make you roll on the floor laughing, too.
I remember once I was complaining about the discrepancies in the census records, and Herman had a witty reply that explained it all to me. He said "Well, you have to remember, these folks, the census takers, were going from door to door, from dawn to dusk. The ideas of hospitality being what they were in the South in those days, more often than not, they'd be offered some refreshment.... a glass of sherry at one house, a swig from a jug at a cabin down the road. I reckon it's a wonder they could write their own names by the end of the day, much less anybody else's!"
Ah, Herman, you will be missed! Back last fall, the Starnes Triennial Association dedicated a monument at the Old Starnes cemetery in Union County. Herman was ill at the time, but he was able to attend, and to unveil the monument in a cemetery where many of our early Starnes ancestors are buried... a cemetery that was abandoned and grown over for many years, until Herman got folks interested in preserving it. I wasn't able to attend the ceremony; but I thought at the time, "I will go see Herman sometime soon." I didn't, and I will always regret it. I hope he knew....and knows....how much he meant to me...and to so many others.
In the Bible, God said to Abraham, "And thou shalt go to thy fathers in peace; thou shalt be buried in a good old age." (Genesis 15:15). And, so it was for Herman. He was 89 when God called him to join the ancestors whose stories Herman had passed on to future generations.. 89 years, 1 month and 8 days, as it would have been inscribed on the old tombstones. (Or would it be 9 days, since March has 31 days?... As with so many, many things, Herman would know, but I don't.)
When I visited Herman at his charming home on Wilson Street in Monroe, I always got the impression that there was another presence there....a voice he was listening for that he couldn't quite hear anymore. I never met his wife of 47 years, Maude Deese Starnes, as she died before I met Herman. Still, I always kind of felt her presence there.... and felt that Herman was listening for her, waiting for her.
And so, they are together again.... along with all the others that Herman made live for me in his telling about their lives. The ancient Starnes have welcomed to them one of their own....and what rejoicing there must have been!
I do not mourn for Herman, for I have faith in the Promise that he is in a better Place, where one day I hope to meet him again.... But I do mourn for myself...and for the fact that this weary world is less bright and hopeful without Herman in it. Yet he will live on here in the lives of those who knew and loved him.
Herman and Gerry Starnes named the amazing book that they wrote on the history of the Starnes family "Of Them That Left A Name Behind." The title comes from Ecclesiasticus, "There be of them, that left a name behind them, that their praises might be reported. And some there be, that have no memorial; who are perished, as though they had never been born; and their children after them.” Herman made sure, to the best of his ability, that our ancestors would not perish without a memorial to them. Perhaps that memorial, that he worked on for so many long years, is the best memorial for Herman himself.
And there's a passage from an old poem that I think Herman might would leave as his instructions to those of us who remain to carry on his work: "To you from failing hands we throw...The torch; be yours to hold it high..." Hold high the torch, my kinsmen, and let not the name, and the honor, of your fathers perish from the earth. We owe that to them....and to Herman.
John Field Pankow
Asheville, NC
HERMAN STARNES
Monroe, NC -- Mr. Starnes, age 89, passed away Sunday (April 27, 2008) at the Brian Center of Monroe.
A Service to Celebrate the Life of Herman Starnes will be conducted at 2:00 PM Wednesday (April 30, 2008) at Benton Heights Presbyterian Church, officiated by Reverend Paul Saleeby. Interment will follow at Lakeland Memorial Park Cemetery.
Mr. Starnes was born on March 19, 1919, in Union County, a son of the late John Hurley Starnes and Cantie Plyler Starnes.
Mr. Starnes was employed with Springs Industries as an expeditor the last 35 years prior to retirement. He was the family historian and genealogist, published the genealogy of his maternal lineage, "The Plyler Genealogy 1688-1965", and was co-author of his paternal lineage "Of Them That Left A Name Behind," dating back to 1665.
He was past editor of The Starnes Triennial Association News Letter, had articles published in 'SCV Ancestor Album'; 'State Troops and Volunteer NC Civil War Soldiers' genealogical articles in 'The Heritage of Union County NC' book I and II; 'Antecedents and Descendants of Richard Deese.' He was a charter member and first treasurer of 'The Carolinas Genealogical Society;' a member of SCV; MOSB; 'General Society of Colonial Wars'; 'The Union County Historical Society'; 'Scottish Society of the Waxhaws' and an Elder in the Presbyterian Church.
In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his wife of 47 years Maude Deese Starnes; brothers, C. Dudley Starnes, Douglas Starnes, twin brother Hershel Starnes; and a sister, Julia Mae Starnes McManus.
Survivors include one son, Michael D. Starnes and wife, Jane Starnes of Monroe; one granddaughter, Meredith Brooke Starnes of Monroe; a sister, Eleanor Starnes Hammonds and husband, John Hammonds of Monroe; a step-sister, Libby H. Thomas and husband, Addison Thomas of Waxhaw; two brothers, Ralph Starnes and wife, Hazel Starnes of Monroe and John H . Starnes and wife, Paula Starnes of Houston, TX.
_____________________________________________
My Tribute to Herman Starnes (1919-2008)
The Bible tells us "Hearken to me, ye that follow after righteousness, ye that seek the Lord: look unto the rock whence ye are hewn..." Isaiah 51:1
For a lifetime of research, Herman Starnes looked to the rock from whence our family was hewn. When I walked beside this quiet, unassuming man, through the graveyards and groves of Union County, he imparted to me a vision.... a vision of a people who worked hard, who carved a life out of the wilderness, who loved God, loved their children, and loved their neighbors, who faced the adversities and tragedies of life with an unquenchable faith and courage and a quiet dignity. Herman gave me a vision of my people. He let me see the rock from whence I was hewn.....and I thank him for that. And I thank God for the great blessing it was to know Herman.
Herman was unfailingly kind and generous, and always ready to share his lifetime of research with anyone. He was always willing to go traipsing around the county, even in miserably hot weather, to show you churches and graves and the sites of old home places. And he was always gracious and hospitable....and would tell you stories to make you roll on the floor laughing, too.
I remember once I was complaining about the discrepancies in the census records, and Herman had a witty reply that explained it all to me. He said "Well, you have to remember, these folks, the census takers, were going from door to door, from dawn to dusk. The ideas of hospitality being what they were in the South in those days, more often than not, they'd be offered some refreshment.... a glass of sherry at one house, a swig from a jug at a cabin down the road. I reckon it's a wonder they could write their own names by the end of the day, much less anybody else's!"
Ah, Herman, you will be missed! Back last fall, the Starnes Triennial Association dedicated a monument at the Old Starnes cemetery in Union County. Herman was ill at the time, but he was able to attend, and to unveil the monument in a cemetery where many of our early Starnes ancestors are buried... a cemetery that was abandoned and grown over for many years, until Herman got folks interested in preserving it. I wasn't able to attend the ceremony; but I thought at the time, "I will go see Herman sometime soon." I didn't, and I will always regret it. I hope he knew....and knows....how much he meant to me...and to so many others.
In the Bible, God said to Abraham, "And thou shalt go to thy fathers in peace; thou shalt be buried in a good old age." (Genesis 15:15). And, so it was for Herman. He was 89 when God called him to join the ancestors whose stories Herman had passed on to future generations.. 89 years, 1 month and 8 days, as it would have been inscribed on the old tombstones. (Or would it be 9 days, since March has 31 days?... As with so many, many things, Herman would know, but I don't.)
When I visited Herman at his charming home on Wilson Street in Monroe, I always got the impression that there was another presence there....a voice he was listening for that he couldn't quite hear anymore. I never met his wife of 47 years, Maude Deese Starnes, as she died before I met Herman. Still, I always kind of felt her presence there.... and felt that Herman was listening for her, waiting for her.
And so, they are together again.... along with all the others that Herman made live for me in his telling about their lives. The ancient Starnes have welcomed to them one of their own....and what rejoicing there must have been!
I do not mourn for Herman, for I have faith in the Promise that he is in a better Place, where one day I hope to meet him again.... But I do mourn for myself...and for the fact that this weary world is less bright and hopeful without Herman in it. Yet he will live on here in the lives of those who knew and loved him.
Herman and Gerry Starnes named the amazing book that they wrote on the history of the Starnes family "Of Them That Left A Name Behind." The title comes from Ecclesiasticus, "There be of them, that left a name behind them, that their praises might be reported. And some there be, that have no memorial; who are perished, as though they had never been born; and their children after them.” Herman made sure, to the best of his ability, that our ancestors would not perish without a memorial to them. Perhaps that memorial, that he worked on for so many long years, is the best memorial for Herman himself.
And there's a passage from an old poem that I think Herman might would leave as his instructions to those of us who remain to carry on his work: "To you from failing hands we throw...The torch; be yours to hold it high..." Hold high the torch, my kinsmen, and let not the name, and the honor, of your fathers perish from the earth. We owe that to them....and to Herman.
John Field Pankow
Asheville, NC
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