Alice Starnes

Alice Starnes, beloved mother, grandmother, aunt and friend died on July 13, 2025, at the age of 102 years and 10 months. She was a resident at Carillon Assisted Living. Born on September 23, 1922, in Killdeer, North Dakota, Alice was a shining light in the lives she touched, embodying kindness, compassion, and a mischievous warmth throughout her remarkable life.

Alice (Alya) was born in her family's ranch house on the Diamond C Ranch near the Killdeer Mountains in Killdeer, North Dakota. She was the sixth of eight children born to Jack and Mary (nee Sahaydak) Dvirnak. Alice grew up as a rancher's daughter herding cattle, gathering eggs, milking cows twice daily and hunting with her brothers. During the Great Depression, Alice and her family provided the town of Killdeer with fresh produce, milk and eggs. She attended a one-room schoolhouse in the country (grades 1-8). During winter months she and her siblings would drive a horse-drawn sleigh to and from school. For high school, Alice and her sister Kathryn lived in town (Killdeer) during the week and traveled home either by buggy or sleigh for the weekends.

Alice attended Dickinson State University (Dickinson, North Dakota) where she earned an Associates Degree in Education. Her first job was teaching in a county one-room schoolhouse.

On December 7, 1941, Alice heard the call to support her country. As part of the war effort during World War 11, she enlisted in the United States Navy, where she dedicated 3 years of her life. Alice was a link-Navigation trainer and trained one thousand Naval airmen (both US and British pilots) to fly by instruments. While stationed at a Barron Naval Air Station near Pensacola, Florida she met her future husband, Charles Newton Starnes who was a Navy Chaplain. Alice and Newton married in 1946 and moved to Lorraine, Texas. From Lorraine, Alice and Newt lived in numerous towns in the Texas Panhandle/Permian Basin, retiring to Lubbock, Texas in 1982. Alice and Newt shared 52 years of married life. Alice lived as a widow for 27 years making a full life for herself.

Alice was a pastor's wife and mother who enhanced the lives of her three children and many others with her compassion and unwavering support. Alice was a member of numerous women's clubs in the towns that she and Newt lived in. She was a charter member of United Methodist Women and continued supporting their benevolences until her death.

Alice had many interests that enriched her life. Her greatest joy was being with her children and their families and her Dvirnak relatives. She found joy in reading, playing the piano, embroidery and tending to her garden. Alice would climb on to her roof to trim the branches of her pecan tree. When she was 85 her children removed the ladder! She continued to be active and had her driver's license renewed at the age of 101 years and 11 months.

Alice known as "Lolly or Aunt Lolly" is survived by her three loving children: Charles Newton Starnes, Jr. (Susie) of Plainview, TX, Mary Starnes of Lubbock, TX, and Elizabeth Starnes Mosele (Tom) of Houston, TX. Her legacy continues through her 11 grandchildren (Chuck, Emily, Andrea, Kathryn, John, David, Cassidy, Rebecca Alya, Aileen and John) and 8 great-grandchildren (Griffin, Fiona, Graham, Naile, Wolf, Rosalie, Hunter and Walker) who will carry forward her love and values for generations to come.

Alice is preceded in death by her husband, Charles Newton Starnes Sr., as well as her parents, Jack and Mary Dvirnak. She joins her five brothers-John, Elmer, Alick, Albert, and George-and sisters Kathryn and Nadia in eternal rest, along with her beloved granddaughter Julia.

Everyone who had the privilege to know Alice remembers her as a kind and welcoming soul. She had a wonderful sense of humor that often sparked laughter in her surroundings, making each moment spent with her a treasured memory. Alice died peacefully in her home surrounded by her loving nurse Luis and caregiver Brailey. She leaves behind a legacy of love, kindness, and devotion. She will be deeply missed, but her spirit will forever remain in the hearts of those she touched.

Alice's family thanks the staff at Carillon Assisted Living for providing their beloved Lolly/Alice with compassion, support and care during her final 6 months of life.

A Memorial Service will be held on Saturday September 27, 2025 at 11:00 a.m. at Venue on Broadway, 2202 Broadway, Lubbock, Texas

In lieu of flowers, please send donations to your favorite charity.