Luther Donald Starling Sr.

1931 - 2025

Luther "Donald" Starling, Sr., 94, of 703 Coharie Drive in Clinton, North Carolina, passed away peacefully on Tuesday, July 15, 2025, at Sampson Regional Medical Center after a brief illness.

Born in Clinton in 1931, he was the son of William Lennon Starling and Hilda Baggett Starling. While working at Belk's during a summer break, Donald met the love of his life, Annell Daughtry. The two later married and together began a life devoted to family, faith, and community.

Early in his career, he joined his father-in-law, N.L. Daughtry, in various business ventures. Donald, with partners, went on to own and operate multiple tobacco warehouses, including Carolina Warehouse, Farmers Tobacco Warehouse, Bass Tobacco Warehouse and Big Sampson Warehouse. He helped construct several facilities, one of which still operates in the Industrial Park today. His work in the tobacco industry took him across the region, earning him wide respect for his entrepreneurial spirit and leadership. For nearly 70 years he and his partners owned and operated N.L. Daughtry Fertilizer Company. A leader in the sale of baskets, lime, fertilizer and other related agricultural products. He personally designed the bagging system and bagged a private label fertilizer and also for nearly three decades, bagged potassium products which were trucked in from the port in Wilmington or by train to be resold to dealers in the US and local farmers.

Donald was deeply involved in the community. He served two terms as President of the Coharie Country Club-humorously, without ever having played a game of golf. He was also on the Board of Directors at East Coast Federal Savings and Loan in Clinton, and was Chairman when the bank was purchased by BB&T. He also served on the Board of Trustees of Sampson Community College having been appointed by Governor Martin. He was a past President of the Eastern Tobacco Association and was highly regarded in the agricultural industry, particularly in fertilizer and related fields. He also served in the North Carolina National Guard for a number of years.

A man of unwavering faith, Donald was the oldest living member of First Baptist Church in Clinton, having joined at just two years old. He served faithfully throughout his life as a deacon, Sunday school teacher, and in various other roles. His passion for Christian service extended beyond his hometown-he and his business partners donated land and built the first Latino church in Clinton, which remains active on McKoy Street. His mission work took him to Venezuela and the Dominican Republic, where he helped build churches and support communities in need.

Donald was also an avid woodworker, known for his craftsmanship and creativity. But above all, he was devoted to his family-he deeply loved his wife of 67 years, his children, and grandchildren. He embodied the values of a true Southern gentleman: integrity, humility, hard work, and a steadfast commitment to faith, family, and community.

He was preceded in death by his beloved wife, Annell Daughtry Starling; his parents; his siblings, William "Billy" Lennon Starling, Jr., Joel Lambert Starling, Janie Starling Kopp, and Edith Starling Harrison.

He is survived by his children: Donna Starling Joyce (Michael) of Palm Coast, Florida; Kathy Jay Starling of Rock Island, Illinois; and Luther Donald Starling, Jr. (Lew) of Clinton. He also leaves behind his treasured granddaughters, Annell Grace Starling and Annie Marie Starling of Clinton; his brother-in-law, N. Leo Daughtry (Helen); and many loving nieces, nephews, and extended family.

A funeral service will be held on Saturday, July 19, 2025, at 11:00 a.m. at First Baptist Church, 408 College Street in Clinton, with Dr. Ray Ammons and Pastor Leonard Henry officiating. Entombment will follow at Clinton City Cemetery. The family will receive friends on Friday, July 18, from 5:00 to 8:00 p.m. at the family home, and again at the cemetery following the service.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Sampson Regional Medical Center Foundation, designated for grounds improvement-a cause especially close to Donald's heart: Sampson Regional Medical Center Foundation 607 Beaman Street, Clinton, NC 28328.

Starling Divinity Scholarship funds Campbell University PO Box 116 Buies Creek NC 27506.

Music for the service will be provided by The Voices of Lee, an acclaimed 15-member a cappella ensemble from Lee University in Cleveland, Tennessee.

The Starling family has entrusted the arrangements to Crumpler-Honeycutt Funeral Home.

The family extends their heartfelt gratitude to his devoted caregivers, Rosetta Sampson and Belinda Robinson "Aunt Bea" for their compassionate care and companionship during his final days.