Suzette Doyle "Susie" Starnes

Susie Starnes, devoted wife to Charles Newton Starnes, Jr., and dedicated mother to four children - Charles Newton Starnes, III., Emily Jane Charleton, Andrea Lea Geiger, and Kathryn Ann Johnson - passed away on October 20, 2025, in Münich, Germany. She was the glue that held her family together; her love for them was deep and unwavering. Her passing has left a void that we cannot fill.

As part of the post-World War II "Baby Boomer" generation, Susie was born in Tucson, Arizona, on August 27, 1947, to parents Minnie Ruth Lancaster and Zane Grey Doyle. She was the eldest of four children. She loved each of her siblings, Eugenia Doyle, Zane Grey Doyle, and Harold Bradley Kincaid. Her father died tragically on February 1, 1955, in Houston, Texas, at the age of 30. Susie's brother, Zane Grey, was born three days later on February 4th. Some years later, Minnie Ruth met and married Thomas Kincaid, a barber, World War II veteran, and former prisoner of war. Thomas quickly became a father to all of Ruth's children, adding a new child, Harold Kincaid, to the group. Their family lived in Houston, Texas, for most of Susie's early life.

Despite enduring hardships from poverty and loss, Susie's resilience was inspiring. As a shy, sensitive, and intelligent child, she never let anything hold her back and took great pride in overcoming her shyness. After graduating from high school, Susie attended Southwestern University in Georgetown, Texas, where she earned a Bachelor of Arts in Sociology, becoming the first member of her family to complete a university degree. She later completed a Master's degree in Counseling. While at Southwestern, she met a charming and handsome young man, Charles Starnes, who would go on to become her husband. While Charles completed his Bachelor's of Science degree in physics and mathematics and earned a commission as an officer in the United States Navy, Susie worked with the Head Start program to help integrate schools and provide educational opportunities for underprivileged children in Houston, Texas.

Susie and Charles were married on April 12, 1970, and moved immediately to Mare Island Naval Shipyard in California, for Charles's first Navy posting. Their first son, Charles Newton Starnes III (Chuck), was born exactly 9 months and 5 days after their wedding on January 17, 1971. Emily Jane (January 27, 1974) and Andrea Lea (October 4, 1975) followed soon after, with Kathryn Ann (November 22, 1985) as the surprise gift to complete their family. Susie instilled in all her children a great love of music, fine art, travel, and altruism. As a military spouse, she managed the frequent moves with grace and always maintained her sense of adventure. She took her children along for every discovery, whether in Europe, New England, South Carolina, Virginia, or elsewhere. During Charles's 27-year Navy career they lived in 18 different houses. Her marriage to Charles was a testament to their love and commitment, and they faced the challenges of military life and frequent relocations together, always supporting each other and their children. She embodied the phrase, "Navy wife, the toughest job in the Navy."

Susie's Christian faith and dedication to the United Methodist Church were central to her life. Her faith and generosity were unshakeably intertwined. She lived by Christ's example. She could always be found singing in the choir or volunteering with United Methodist Women, Soroptimist, Rotary, Meals on Wheels, Head Start, and much more. She was dedicated to helping others with kindness and empathy. Her impact on the community was profound. Although life as a military spouse prevented her from pursuing a traditional career, she put her sociology degree to work by volunteering in her community. She was truly a professional volunteer with selfless dedication, tenacity, and dependability that surpassed all expectations. She counseled struggling military families, taught adults to read, hosted many foreign exchange students, raised funds for important causes, and made intricate handmade gifts and donations for friends, family, and strangers alike.

Over the last 26 years, Susie's greatest joy came from being an enthusiastic and doting grandmother (aka Grammy). She loved each of her four grandchildren-Griffin James and Fiona Iris Geiger, and Graham Newton and Niale Thomas Johnson. Her devotion to her grandchildren was indomitable.

Charles and Susie spent the last decade or more of their lives traveling the globe together. Upon their return, her family and friends at home enjoyed her travel stories and the small gifts she purchased for them from every place she visited. Charles' and Susie's marriage experienced every ounce of 'for richer or poorer; better or worse; and in sickness or in health' that a marriage could face, and they came out on the other side stronger. Their children are so proud of their 55 years of marriage and of the way they continued to pursue a zestful approach to life, filled with philanthropy, exuberance, and adventure.

Susie will always be remembered for her warm, radiant smile, kind spirit, and devotion to putting others' needs above her own. The way she approached life - with generosity and positivity - was an inspiration to all who knew her. She was also a proud breast cancer survivor. We will miss Susie every day. Her memory will live on in the hearts of her family and every person who was fortunate enough to know her.

Susie was preceded in death by her mother, Ruth; father, Zane; stepfather, Thomas; and sister, Gena. She is survived by her husband, Charles; her children, Chuck, Emily, Andrea, and Kathryn; her brothers, Zane and Harold; and her grandchildren, Griffin, Fiona, Graham, and Niale.

Services are under the direction of Bartley Funeral Home. There will be a visitation at Bartley from 5-7 p.m. Friday, November 7. Susie's funeral service is at 11 a.m. on Saturday, November 8, 2025, at Plainview Methodist Church, 1001 W 7th St., Plainview, TX 79072. Donations in Susie's name to the National Breast Cancer Foundation (nationalbreastcancer.org) or End Polio Now (endpolio.org) are appreciated.