Obituary: Wheeler Edward "Ed" Starnes Sr.

Wheeler Edward "Ed" Starnes Sr., 88

September 5, 1936 — April 27, 2025

Pelahatchie

Wheeler Edward “Ed” Starnes Sr. passed away at his home on Sunday, April 27, 2025, in Pelahatchie, MS. He was 88 years old. The family will receive friends and extended family for visitation from 9:00-11:00 a.m. Wednesday, April 30, 2025, at Chancellor Funeral Home in Florence, MS. The funeral service will begin at 11:00 with burial following at Glenwood Memorial Park in Richland, MS.

Ed was born on September 5, 1936, to Wheeler Franklin Starnes and Edith Renette Crews Starnes in McComb, MS. He has lived in Pelahatchie for the past 50 years. Ed was married to the mother of his children, Margaret Starnes, for 26 years until their divorce. He found love again and married the love of his life, Carolyn Cooper Starnes, and they never had an argument. Mrs. Carolyn was always by his side. If you saw one, you saw the other.

Ed loved riding motorcycles so much he traveled 48 states on his Honda Goldwing, twice. He loved camping in the Smoky Mountains with Mrs. Carolyn. He enjoyed the family get togethers, especially the 4th of July. It was a BIG deal to him. It was the hit of Pelahatchie and if you were fortunate enough, you were part of the experience. In his younger years, he enjoyed karate earning his blackbelt. Ed loved his family, especially his grandchildren and occasionally, his children. That was a running joke with his children. Still to this day there is a battle over who was his favorite. If you know, you know. But all joking aside, he was always there for his family. From coaching his son’s baseball teams to just anything they needed. They could always count on him. He will truly be missed.

Ed is preceded in death by his parents; son, Richard Stephen Starnes; granddaughter, Sara Kristine Bland; and son-in-law, Ken Eady. He is survived by his precious wife of 42 years, Carolyn Starnes of Pelahatchie, MS; children, Bubba Starnes (Malanie) of Hazlehurst, Cyndi Eady of Florence; Keith Starnes (Paula) of Florence, and Sharron Bland (Frank) of Richland; daughter-in-law, Sharon Starnes of Brandon; siblings, Harlon Starnes (Anne) of Bean Station, TN, Jeanette Wroten of Smithdale, MS, and Frank Starnes of Prentiss, MS; 14 grandchildren; 28 great grandchildren; 2 great great grandchildren and 1 on the way.

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