Frances Jerlyne Kemp ‘Jerry Starks, 91, of Delmar Gardens, Smyrna, Ga., passed away peacefully on Feb. 21, 2022, at home under the care of hospice with her son Ben and grandson Aaron at her side.
Jerlyne was a native of Logan County, born on Sept. 21, 1930, to the late Lloyd Crewdson Kemp Sr. and Fannie Mae Lockhart Kemp.
She started her family in Olmstead in 1949, and later moved to Russellville in 1955. She then moved to Owensboro in 1961. Finally in 1983 she moved to Atlanta area, where she remained until her death. Jerry was a lifelong member of the Church of Christ and was an avid University of Kentucky basketball fan. Jerry was an accomplished alterations/seamstress who worked at the S.W. Anderson Department Store in Owensboro for more than 15 years. Jerry was also known as a fabulous cook and baker. Her siblings would drive for hours to enjoy some of her signature desserts.
Jerry is survived by her three children, son William Henry ‘Hank’ Starks Jr and wife Carole of Punta Gorda, Fla.; her daughter, Frances ‘Byrne’ Coles and husband Ed of Smyrna, Ga. and son Benjamin ‘Ben’ Kemp Starks and wife Pam of Marietta, Ga.; her grandchildren, Aaron Galloway (Farrah), Justin Starks, Krystin Starks O’Connell (Daniel), Ashley Trindle (Joe, deceased), and Mitchell Gus Starks; her great-grandchildren, Isabella Galloway, Henry Galloway, Patrick Galloway, James Trindle, Sam Trindle, Kensington O’Connell and Kade O’Connell; and her brothers, Tom Kemp and Wayne Kemp of Russellville; and many nieces and nephews.
A graveside service will be held in Russellville’s Maple Grove Cemetery at 10 a.m. on Saturday, March 5, officiated by Harris Dockins. There will be no public visitation before the service.
All arrangements are being handled by Summers and Son Funeral Home.
The family wishes that in lieu of flowers, donations be made to the Hospice Foundation, 1088 Crabapple Rd. Roswell, GA 30075, or any local Hospice Foundation of your choice.