JEAN STARKEY

Henderson, TN: Emma Jean Burgess Starkey age 97, passed away September 15, 2026, at Southern Oaks Assisted Living.

She was born on November 5, 1928, in Lauderdale County, AL, the daughter of the late George Washington and Mildred Pearl Fowler Burgess. She went to school in Lauderdale County, AL. She made her home in Florence and worked for F.W. Woolworth’s, W.T. Grant Company, K-Mart, and Woolco. She then made her home in Tishomingo, MS while there she worked for Sparco and Bill’s Dollar Store in Red Bay, AL.

She married Edward E. Yarbro in 1954 and they lived in Gulfport, MS. Mr. Yarbro died in 2014.

She married James L. Starkey of Tishomingo in 1980. They made their home in Muscle Shoals and Tishomingo. Mr. Starkey died in 1988. Mrs. Starkey moved to Henderson in 2001, to be close to her children.

While in Tishomingo she was a member of the Homemaker Volunteers and had served as President of the County Council. She had taught the Ladies Bible Class at Liberty Church of Christ for several years.

She was a member of the Henderson Church of Christ.

Mrs. Starkey is survived by a daughter, Alice Holtin (Rodger) of Henderson; and a son, Tom Yarbro (Sherrie) of Clarksburg, TN; six grandchildren, Erin Foster, Jim Holtin, Andy Holtin, Monica Reynolds, Brian Holtin and Peter Holtin; and eight great grandchildren.

She is preceded in death by three brothers, Alvin Burgess, Belton Burgess and Ellis Burgess and seven sisters, Irene House, Sue Hargett, Audrey Kelley, Flora Goodman, Grace Parker, Pauline Pennington and Vonna Graham.

Funeral services will be 11:00 AM Monday, September 21st at Shackelford Funeral Directors – Crook Avenue with Billy Smith, Charlie Smith, Rodger Holtin and grandsons officiating burial will follow at Henderson City Cemetery.

The family will receive friends at Crook Avenue, 5:00 PM until 8:00 PM on Sunday.

Shackelford Funeral Directors of Henderson