Rita Starnes

© Enid News and Eagle

07-09-2015

Submitted by: Glenn

© Enid News and Eagle

Celebration of Life and Remembrance service for Rita Starnes, 80, of Oklahoma City, formerly of Enid, Okla., will be 10 a.m. Friday, July 10, 2015, at First Missionary Baptist Church. The Rev. Alfred Baldwin Jr. will officiate. Burial will be at Enid Cemetery. Arrangements are under the direction of Ladusau-Evans Funeral Home.

On Dec. 18, 1934, it was recorded Rita Rena Starnes was born to Oda and Lydia Geneva Starnes in Kansas City, Mo.

Rita accepted Christ under the leadership of Superintendent Elder W.H. Hart, First Church of God In Christ in Enid, Okla. Ms. Rita later joined First Missionary Baptist Church, under the leadership of the Rev. Loren Jones. She served as an usher for over 30 years.

Ms. Rita was a War Mother and Missionary Society Member, as well as serving on the Eastern Star.

Rita attended school at Booker T. Washington in Enid, Okla. As a young adult, she cared for and provided cooking and cleaning services for the Bert Smith Family of Enid.

Ms. Rita later attended Barber College in Oklahoma City, in order to become a licensed barber. Ms. Rita was self-employed out of her home as a barber for over 40 years. Ms. Rita was employed with the Enid State School in Enid, Okla., and retired after 27 years.

Ms. Rita was joined in marriage to Sylvester Williams Sr. on Oct. 10, 1954. To this union four children were born: Sylvester Williams Jr., Lydia Vesta Breckenridge, Oda Williams and Cleveland Williams.

After years of marriage, this couple divorced. Some years passed and Ms. Rita was united in marriage to Amos Steppes, and after many years later divorced.

Ms. Rita leaves behind five children: Sylvester Williams Jr. of Enid, Okla., Lydia Vesta (Monte) Breckenridge of Hennessey, Okla., Oda Williams of Oklahoma City, Cleveland Williams of (unknown) and adopted granddaughter, Angel Dawn Williams of Hennessey, Okla.; nine grandchildren, Tony Williams, Tripper-Beau Williams, Alexzandria Williams, Monica Breckenridge, Melanie McKinnon (Breckenridge), Miya Puckett (Breckenridge), Clayton Jennings Williams, Dashia Hurst (Williams) and Angel Dawn Williams; and nine great-grandchildren.

Proceeding Ms. Rita in death were her parents, Oda and Lydia Geneva Starnes; four sisters, Velma Nolen, Mayola Poe, Hattie B. Morris and Laverne Warmsley; three brothers, Elmer Starnes Sr., John Ivan Starnes and Rudolph Starnes; a set of twins at birth; and Ms. Rita’s twin at 2 years of age.

Condolences may be made and the service viewed at www.ladusauevans.com.

(Submitted by family)

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