Kenneth Starnes

Kenneth Sawyer Starnes

WALNUT COVE - Kenneth Sawyer Starnes, 77, of Walnut Cove, passed away Thursday, Dec. 8, 2011, at Kate B. Reynolds Hospice Home.

He was born June 3, 1934, in Rowan County to the late Sawyer Valentine Starnes and Kathleen Gobble Starnes. Mr. Starnes was a supervisor for Duke Power Company at Belews Creek Steam Station, retiring in 1991.

He served in the U.S. Army from 1957-1959 as a Military Policeman at Fort Bliss, Tex., and Fort Bragg, and then again from 1960-1961 as a Platoon Sergeant at Fort Polk, La.

Mr. Starnes served as Mayor of the Town of Walnut Cove from 1997-1999 and then again from 2003-2007. He was a member of the Walnut Cove Lions Club, and on June 3, 1999, was named a Melvin Jones Fellow, the highest form of recognition conferred by the foundation, representing his dedication to humanitarian service.

He loved baseball and lettered in the sport at Spencer High School. He loved his family, his friends and his garden and was an avid softball and racing fan.

Mr. Starnes was preceded in death by his parents, Sawyer Valentine Starnes and Kathleen Gobble Starnes; his brother, Bert Starnes; his father-in-law, Van Buren Burris; and his daughter-in-law, Jennifer Lewter Starnes.

He is survived by his loving wife, Dianne Burris Starnes; children Kenneth Christopher (Kenny) Starnes and Amy Elizabeth Starnes (Erik Buskirk); sisters Betty Thompson, Jeanette Eller and Faye Merkt; as well as several special nieces and a nephew.

Visitation: The family will receive friends Saturday, Dec. 10 from 6-8 p.m. at Hayworth-Miller Funeral Home on Silas Creek Parkway. A service will be held Sunday, Dec. 11 at 2 p.m. at the same location.

Memorials: In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Hospice & Palliative Care Center, 101 Hospice Lane, Winston-Salem, NC 27013; or a charity of the donor's choice.

Online condolences may be made at www.hayworth-miller.com.