Cowlitz County WA Archives Obituaries.....Starnes, Lessie Mae (Brackett) January 4, 2006 ************************************************ Copyright. All rights reserved. http://www.usgwarchives.net/copyright.htm http://www.usgwarchives.net/wa/wafiles.htm ************************************************ File contributed for use in USGenWeb Archives by: P. J. Stepp steppmom5@hotmail.com April 15, 2006, 5:21 pm Published in The Daily News on 1/13/2006 www.tdn.com Lessie Mae (Brackett) Starnes changed her address to heaven on January 4, 2006, to be comforted in the arms of Jesus, after a brave, year long battle with cancer. She was born on June 20, 1933, in Raymondville, MO. She moved with her family to Longview in 1948. She was preceded in death by her parents, Leslie and Gladys (Surby) Brackett, two sisters, Dorothy Brewer, of Ft. Bragg, CA: and Loraine Elliott of Longview. She is survived by a sister, Birdeen Dolan of Longview, and a brother, Elmer Brackett, of LaHabra Heights, CA. Lessie attended R.A.Long High School before marrying F. Harold Starnes in 1949. Harold passed away in 2002 after 52 years of marriage. Their four children and spouses survive them: Dean and Phyllis Burchett, Keith and Donna Starnes, Tom and Trena Jensen, all of Longview, and Antone and Julie LeFevre of Bellevue, Nebraska. Grandma Starnes also leaves 11 grandchildren and 5 great- grandchildren. She was a positive role model to those who knew her. She had various jobs throughout her married life, which include working as a "stripper" for Standard Paper Box Company. (She stripped edges off the cut cardboard.) She and Harold owned the Clock Cafe on Highway 99 in the late '60's She worked as a realtor for Ponderosa Realty and Rodman Realty. Lessie managed the Kings Table Restaurant for several years also. She and Harold enjoyed motorhoming across the United Stated to visit family and sightsee. On several trips their grandchildren accompanied them. Lessie enjoyed spending time at the beach. One of her favorite things to do there was get an ice cream cone and sit by the dunes and watch the sunset. She enjoyed family reunions each year at either their beach house in Long Beach, WA or at her nieces lakeside retreat at Lake Nahwatzel, near Shelton, WA. Family was most important to her, and throughout her life she was a strong support during many situations. She had unconditional love for everyone who crossed her path, and her support and encouragement were her strongest attributes. She was a positive thinking person who looked for a solution to every situation. She enjoyed gardening, crafting and tinkering with musical instruments, which she played by ear. Her favorite time of year was the Christmas Holidays when family would join together to celebrate the season at her home where she decorated elaborately and made holiday goodies to be enjoyed by all who stopped by. Her volunteer work included the Salvation Army Christmas Center, Peace Health, in surgery liaison, and playing piano for sing- a-longs at Monticello Park. Lessie was a member of New Life Fellowship. A celebration of her life will take place on Monday, January 9, 2006 at 11:00 A.M. at Steele Funeral Chapel on Mt. Solo Road in Longview. Pastors Ruth Packard and Charles Fischer will officiate the service. Memorial contributions may be made to Hospice. The family would like to thank Dr. Jason Suh for the wonderful caring manner you extended our mom throughout this difficult time. She admired and trusted you to do what was in her best interest. The support of the Home Health and Hospice Home Health nurses these past few months have provided us with immeasurable comfort and support. The family is grateful for the compassionate care that was given our mom during her last earthly hours by the staff of Hospice Care Center. Mom we will miss your passion for life, your infectious smile, and your quick wit for a humorous answer. We love you and only pray that we can keep the torch you have passed on to us, lit with the same passion of love that you had. File at: http://files.usgwarchives.net/wa/cowlitz/obits/s/starnes259gob.txt This file has been created by a form at http://www.genrecords.org/wafiles/ File size: 4.3 Kb