Wilma Starnes

Memorial Services for Mrs. Wilma Lois McFadden Starnes are scheduled for 2PM on Wednesday, December 7, 2011 in the Caudle-Rutledge Funeral Home Chapel in Lindale with Dr. Mark Neeley officiating. Wilma Lois McFadden Starnes of Lindale, Texas passed away on Friday, December 2, 2011, at the age of 86. Wilma was born on October 30, 1925, to Leonard Franklin McFadden and Gertrude Cates McFadden of Mount Sylvan. Wilma grew up with her brother Ben McFadden enjoying and sometimes enduring farm life in East Texas during the Great Depression. Following graduation from Lindale High School, Wilma attended the Federal Institute Business School. While her high school sweetheart went off to war in the South Pacific, Wilma took her talents to Austin where she worked first for the General Land Office and later at the Texas Highway Department. Returning to Lindale, Wilma married her sweetheart, Robert Starnes, on May 25, 1947 where together they raised their family. She worked alongside her husband and his father, Aubrey Starnes, to establish a successful family farming business raising sweet potatoes, black berries, and field peas until Rob's death in January, 1996. Wilma was a long time member of the First Baptist Church Lindale, whose sanctuary now sits on the former site of the Starnes' sweet potato warehouse. Wilma taught Sunday School and worked in the church nursery. She was both a Campfire Girls and Cub Scout adult leader and a charter member of the Lindale Garden Club. Later, Wilma became interested in antiques and had shops in several local antique malls. She enjoyed gardening, painting, and socializing with her life long friends and family. She counted among her greatest accomplishments her forty-eight year marriage, her two children, and three grandchildren. Honorary Pallbearers will be Noble Starnes, Spencer Starnes, Henry Lyon, Jerry Terry, Bobby Glen Wells, Ben Wilhite, Rack Tindel, Bob Wells, Mike Allen, Eddie Allen, Dr. Wendell Hand, Steve Brown, and Randy Bateman. Wilma is survived by her daughter Gaye Starnes of Arlington, son Mac Starnes and wife Betty of Midland, grandchildren, Noble, Spencer, and Raylee Starnes. Also surviving is her brother Ben McFadden and his wife Molly, nieces Cheryl McFadden, Jill McFadden, Kaye McFadden, Carol Wilhite, Nancy Dover, Marilyn Steptoe, and Cindy Holmes. Wilma also has one aunt, Dorothy McFadden Pitcher. If desired, memorials may be made to the Pulmonary Fibrosis Foundation, 811 W. Evergreen Avenue, Suite 204, Chicago, IL, 60642, www.pulmonaryfibrosis.org.

Wilma Starnes

October 30, 2025 - December 2, 2011