Rev. Cloyes Starnes

WAYNESVILLE — The Rev. Howard Cloyes Starnes, 91, passed away on Wednesday, Feb. 17, 2021, at Haywood Regional Medical Center.

A native of Buncombe County, he was a son of the late Thomas Albert and Hazel Cloyes Starnes. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his wife, Mary Jo Bumgarner Starnes, who died in 2017; three brothers, Bert Starnes, Jr. Hugh and John Starnes; and a sister, Ruth Starnes Moore.

Rev. Starnes received his master’s in divinity from South Eastern Seminary and his bachelor’s from Baylor University and was adjunct professor at Charleston Southern University. He was a member of N.C. Pastor’s Association and was a board member with International Missionary in Richmond Virginia.

Rev. Starnes served 31 years in the mission field in South Korea from 1961-1991. He enjoyed time with his family especially watching them play sports, gardening/yard work and his raspberries. Rev. Starnes loved the mountains of Western North Carolina and was passionate for his Lord and Savior. He was a member of Encouraging Word Baptist Church.

Cloyes is survived by a daughter, Sandra Maria Hulesman (Steven), of Kathleen, Georgia; son, David Russell Starnes, of Daytona Beach, Florida; three granddaughters, Samantha Starnes, Kendall Huelsman and Taylor Tucker; three grandsons, Spencer Starnes, Zach Huelsman and Michael Starnes; and one great-granddaughter, Stella Ann Massie.

A celebration of life will be held at 2:30 p.m. on Sunday, Feb. 21, 2021, at Encouraging Word Baptist Church with the Revs. Michael Horton and Tim Williams officiating.

In lieu of flowers memorials may be made to Lottie Moon Christmas offering, P.O. Box 6767, Richmond, Virginia 23230.

The care of Rev. Cloyes Starnes has been entrusted to Wells Funeral Home of Waynesville and an online memorial register is available at “Obituaries” at www.wellsfuneralhome.com.