Irene Benfield Starnes

Obituary: Kannapolis - Mrs. Irene Benfield Starnes, 92 of 404 South Rose Avenue, Kannapolis died Sunday, April 26, 2009 at NorthEast Medical Center, Concord following a month's illness. She was born September 26, 1916 in York County, SC daughter of the late James Noah and Docia Olivia Davidson Benfield. She was employed by Cannon Mills in the sheet dept. retiring in l986 with 48 years of service. She was a charter member of Calvary Baptist Church where she served as a Sunday School teacher for many years, a member of the Sunshine Club, the Lottie Moon Circle and was a leader of the G.A.'s. She loved to garden and grow flowers, she made quilts, ceramics and was a great seamstress. She is survived by three Daughters: Phyllis Burris and Husband Elvin, Kaye Osborne and Friend James Lamb,Joyce Davis and Husband Harold all of Kannapolis. Also survived by eleven grandchildren: ChuckBurris and wife Jennifer, Sheri Burris Lane and Husband Tim, Chris Burris, Andy Burris and wife Darla, Ronnie Osborne, Teresa Osborne Strider and Husband Mike, Michele Osborne, Mike Davis, Randy Davis, Kevin Davis and Jennifer Gaskey, Tim Davis and wife Corey. Fifteen Great Grandchildren, Four Great Great Grandchildren, Three Step Grand Children, and One Step Great Great Grandchild also survive. In addition to her parents she was preceded in death by her husband of 50 years, Eugene Starnes, a Son, Bobby Gene Starnes and Eight Brothers and Five Sisters. Funeral services will be held 3:00 P.M. Saturday, May 2, 2009 at Calvary Baptist Church conducted by Rev. Max Smith. The family will receive friends at the church from 1:00-2:45 P.M. prior to the service. At other times the family will be at the residence on South Rose Avenue. Interment will follow inGreenlawn Cemetery, China Grove. Memorials may be made to Calvary Baptist Church, 703 Buick Avenue, Kannapolis, NC 28083 or to Gideon's International, P.O. Box 52, Kannapolis, NC 28082. Whitley's Funeral Home is serving the family of Mrs. Starnes. Online condolences may be made to www.whitleysfuneralhome.com
Visitation: 1:00-2:45 Saturday, May 2, 2009 Calvary Baptist Church

Service: 3:00 P.M. Saturday, May 2, 2009 Calvary Baptist Church

Interment: Greenlawn Cemetery China Grove, North Carolina