Ruth Arthur Starnes

Ruth Arthur Starnes, 83, formerly of Louisiana Avenue, Asheville, died Sunday, June 23, 2002, at Aston Park Health Care Center. Mrs. Starnes was born in Buncombe County and was a daughter of the late J.N. and Olive Evans Arthur, Sr. She was also preceded in death by her husband, Alfred L. Starnes and by two brothers, J.N. Arthur, Jr. and Charles W. Arthur. She was a lifelong resident of West Asheville and was an employee of Ice Service Stores for many years. She was a member of Trinity United Methodist Church. Surviving are one daughter, Dorcas Epley and her husband Joe of Tryon; three sons, Jerry Starnes and his wife Bronwen of Brevard, Steven Starnes and his wife Ailene of Candler, and John Starnes and his wife Betty of Greer; one sister, Louise A. Sales of Asheville; one brother, John E. Arthur and his wife Kathleen of Asheville; five grandchildren, Meredith McGinnis and her husband Mike of Greenville, SC, Stewart Epley of Charlotte, Chris Starnes and his wife Donna of Fort Mill, SC, Rachel Acton and her husband Hugh of Ellisville, MS, and Kirk Starnes of San Jose, CA; six great-grandchildren and several nieces and nephews. Funeral services will be at 2:00 pm Wednesday in the Patton Avenue chapel of Groce Funeral Home with the Rev. Ralph Reed and Chaplain Jane Curran officiating. Burial will be at Green Hills Cemetery. Her family will receive friends at the funeral home one hour prior to the service and request that memorials be made to Trinity United Methodist Church, 587 Haywood Road, Asheville, NC 28806, or to Mountain Area Hospice, PO Box 25338, Asheville, NC 28813.