Sarah Jo Josephine Ballard Starnes

Obituary: Sarah "Jo" Josephine Ballard Starnes, 81, of the Atwell Community died on Monday, August 21, 2017 at her home after a period of declining health. Services will be held at 3:00 PM Saturday, August 26 at Concordia Lutheran Church with Rev. Ken Reed and Rev. Larry Bost officiating. Burial will follow after the funeral in the church cemetery. The family will receive friends at the church from 6:00 to 8:00 PM Friday, August 25. Jo was born June 8, 1936 in Gaston Co., a daughter of the late Marion O. and Sallie Sadler Ballard. She was the last of 10 children; being preceded in death by 1 sister and 8 brothers. Jo was a longtime area resident moving here from Alexis NC. She was an active member of the Atwell Community and Concordia Lutheran Church. She was a Sunday school teacher, Youth League advisor and served on the cooking committee. Jo was a lifetime member of FFA. She worked as a cook for several local nursing homes. Jo was a loving and devoted wife, mother and grandmother and great-grandmother. She will be dearly missed. Those left to cherish Jo's memory include her husband of 55 years, Henry W. Starnes, her daughter, Lisa Starnes Hartsell and fiancé Jim Adams, her sons; Charles Starnes (Kimberly) and Eddie Starnes (Brandy) all of Mooresville. Jo is also survived by six grandchildren; Nathan Hartsell (Katie), Taylor Hartsell (Cameron Bankhead), Katherine Starnes (Josh Severt), Thomas Starnes, Ben Starnes and Emry Starnes, three great-grandchildren; Rilynn, Avarie and Casen Hartsell and many other loving family members. In addition to her immediate family, Jo had many "Adopted" children including Charlie Brown (Shane) and Scott Woodward. Online condolences may be left at www.whitleysfuneralhome.com and memorial donations may be made to Concordia Lutheran Church, 185 Concordia Church Rd, China Grove, NC, Hospice and Palliative Care of Cabarrus Co. 5003 Hospice Lane, Kannapolis NC 28081 or to FFA of South Rowan High School.
Visitation: 6:00 to 8:00 PM Friday August 25, 2017 Concordia Lutheran Church Fellowship Hall China Grove

Service: 3:00 PM Saturday August 26, 2017 Concordia Lutheran Church China Grove

Interment: Concordia Lutheran Church Cemetery