Merilee Starnes

On July 6th, 2022 - Merlie Lee Starnes’ spirit returned to be with God after her earthly body lost its battle with Covid-19 and severe pneumonia at St. Luke’s Hospital on The Plaza – Kansas City, MO.

Merlie Lee Starnes (maiden name Adams) affectionately known as “Gram” to her grandchildren was born August 9th 1935 in Coahoma County, Mississippi to Georgia and Dan Adams Sr. Merlie was the second born of four siblings to the couple. Merlie accepted Jesus Christ as her Lord and Savior at an early age as her father Dan was a Baptist preacher. Growing up on her parents farm in Mississippi, Merlie was a dutiful daughter working in the cotton fields, tending to the cattle they raised and looking after her baby brother Dan. When she wasn’t working, Merlie enjoyed reading her bible, testifying to whoever would listen, sewing, shopping, fishing and traveling.

Merlie moved to Arkansas and had her first of five children – Flora Adams (McDonald), followed by Patricia Adams (Slaughter). She later moved to Kansas City and met her husband William “Bill” Starnes and had three more children Gwendolyn Starnes (Bruner), Bernard Starnes and Stacy Starnes (Diggs). Along with being a homemaker, Merlie put her seamstress skills to good use – as she worked for many years as a Drapery Instructor for Aero Draperies in Kansas City, MO. When that company moved to another state she decided to take on a role at St. Mary’s Hospital within their Environmental Services Department until the hospital’s eventual closing. She carried those skills and passion for working with her hands to then take on maintenance positions at various companies and worked her way up to a Machine Operator Assistant at now defunct Dexter Automotive Materials in Kansas City, MO.

Once all of her children graduated and set out on their own – Bill decided to retire from the United States Postal Service and return to his home state of Oklahoma to get away from the city life – so the couple moved to Norman, Oklahoma in 1991 – where they spent many days fishing together at the local lakes. Merlie became an active and beloved member of Community Missionary Baptist Church – Norman, OK – where Pastor Richard H. Gaines presided. She decided to return to the workforce part-time working for JC Penney until 2001. Merlie was a breast cancer survivor during these years and remained cancer free. Bill and Merlie lived happily in Oklahoma for over 30 years – until recently. Merlie longed to return to Kansas City, MO to be closer to her family – with the support of her husband Bill, son Bernard, daughter Gwendolyn and grandson Bryan – the move to Kansas City that Merlie so desired was made a reality in the Late Spring of 2022.

Merlie was preceded in death by siblings Dollie Mae Jones-Harris of Kansas City, MO, Eddie Louis “E.L” Jones of Kansas City, MO, Gladys Adams (Scott) of West Memphis, Arkansas, Sylvia Adams (Denson) of Kansas City, MO and Dan Adams Jr. of St. Louis, MO/Grenada, MS. Also, her daughter Stacy Lynn Diggs (Starnes), grandson Melvin Slaughter and great-grandson Jordan Adams whom all resided in Kansas City, MO.

She is survived by her husband Bill Starnes, children Gwendolyn Bruner and Bernard Starnes – a host of grandchildren, great-grandchildren, great-great-grandchildren, nieces, nephews, extended family, church family and friends.