Helen Jean Starnes Whitesitt

Helen Jean Starnes Whitesitt, 87, of Rowlett, TX, passed away on March 27, 2016. Helen was a resident of Rowlett for 19 years and a member of First Baptist Church. Helen was born to James Eli and Allie Mae (Wicker) Starnes on August 12, 1928, in Rutherfordton, NC. She attended school at Sand Hill in Candler, NC. She held an AA degree from Mars Hill College, a BA from Furman University and a Master of Religious Education from Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary. She worked as a Director of Religious Education in the Army chapel in Augsburg, Germany in the mid 1950s and later served in several civilian churches. She married Dale E. Whitesitt on September 5, 1959 in Asheville, NC. She was an Army wife and mother, living in many states and countries. Helen was involved in church and chapel activities wherever she lived. She was a member of the Protestant Women of the Chapel for over 40 years. She received many certificates of appreciation and achievement for her volunteer work in communities around the world. Her hobbies included reading, collecting cartoons, creating cartoon scrapbooks and being a good friend to all those she met and loved. Helen is preceded in death by her parents and her stepfather, Roy J. Galloway. Helen is survived by her beloved husband, Dale, her daughters and their spouses: Melody and Craig Padgett of Kansas, Melinda Whitesitt and Bob Roettger of Florida, Angela and Richard Ernst, of Rowlett, and her sister, Shirley English, of Raleigh, NC, her grandchildren Desiree, Samantha, Stephanie, Drew, Ashton, Richard and Lori, and her great-grandchildren Zoe, Hallie, Tanner, Makayla, Noah, Brayden and Molly. The graveside service for Mrs. Whitesitt will be on Monday at 11:00 a.m. at Green Hills Cemetery. Her family will receive friends beginning at 10:00 a.m. Monday at Groce Funeral Home on Patton Ave. As an alternative to flowers, memorial gifts may be given to Cumberland Presbyterian Children's Home, P.O. Drawer G, Denton, Texas 76202. The family of Helen Whitesitt wishes to extend our sincere thanks for all of the support we have received from Peggy, her Visiting Angel, Vitas Hospice nurse Leslie and aide Vivian, the Flower Ministry team of First Baptist Church and all of our friends around the world who have provided their prayers.