SUSAN LOUISE 'WEEGIE' STARKEY PASSES AWAY

 

Susan Louise “Weegie” Starkey passed away Thursday, February 24.

Here’s a moving tribute to her mother by North Marion graduate Misty Starkey, who works at Lowe’s Home Improvement. I can’t do anything better than post it here. If I still were a newspaper editor as I was for 43 years then Misty would be my #1 reporter.

 

Misty’s tribute to Weegie:

 

Let ME tell you about my Momma.

 

My Momma’s story began on August 20, 1958. She was born in the back of a car, one of 17 children and the second to the oldest girl in her family.

 

She grew up in very tough times, and having 17 children, 12 that lived beyond early childhood,  was not easy for her parents.

 

Having very little, she and her oldest sister would take turns going to school because one  was needed at home to help rear the younger children and because they only had one pair of shoes between them.

She became a single mother at 16 to my brother, Jay. She met my dad in the middle of winter, at least a foot of snow on the ground and she was barefoot.

 

She later gave birth to me and Johnna and they adopted Jaylee. She loved her children and grandchildren more than life itself.

 

My mom was a very humble woman and taught us to treat everyone with love and kindness. Nobody was better than us, but we were certainly not better than anyone.

 

My mom befriended anyone and everyone throughout her short lifetime. She took in many of her siblings, nieces and nephews and anyone who needed a place to lay their heads.

 

Many of the people my mom took in had families who had given up on them but my mom always found it in her heart to help those in need. It was her life’s calling. We always joked and said she’d take in any stray.

She started her own business later in life. It was a little hole in the wall bar and grill. While business wasn’t always good, she absolutely loved that place and all of the people she got to see. She loved cooking for her friends and family. Often, she invited anyone to a hot meal on the holidays at no charge. She fed most of Mannington regularly out of the kindness of her heart.

 

She lost her 53-day hospitalization battle with Covid February 24, 2022. She was 63.

 

I’ll see you later, Momma.

 

John Olesky again: If you read that without tears gushing from your eyes then you don’t have the huge heart that Weegie had.

 

Weegie’s obituary:

 

Susan Louise “Weegie” Starkey, age 63 of Mannington, WV was called home to be with our Lord on Thursday, February 24, 2022 surrounded by her loving family. She was born August 20, 1958 in Four States, WV a daughter of the late Edith Jane (Markley) and James Brant Jones.

Weegie is survived by her loving husband of 45 years, John Dewayne Starkey; a son, James Brant Jones and significant other Amanda Starrett of Mannington; her daughters, Misty Sue Starkey and significant other Mitch Snider of Fairmont, Johnna Jane (Christopher) Moore of Metz, Katarina Lynn (Russell) Sendling of Clarksburg, and Jaylee Brooke Starkey, still living at home; and 17 grandchildren, Haley (Dean) Hadi, Cassandra Newport, Isabella Newport, Ethan Newport, Heidi Gidley, Christopher Moore, Gavin Moore, Emmie Moore, Gracie Moore, John Moore, Liam Moore, Bryson Satterfield, Adalynn Rose Jones, Brantley Jones, and step-granddaughter, Kennedy Starrett, Aaliyah Sendling and Airyonna Sendling; and one unborn great-grandson. She is also survived by four brothers, five sisters, and numerous nieces and nephews.

Weegie grew up in Four States and attended Monongah High School. She was a resident of Mannington her entire adult life. She was a Board Member of Mannington Main Street for several years and the co-founder of Mannington Matters.

She had a great love for her community and was considered a huge asset by all. She was the proud owner of Starkey’s Bar and Grill on Market Street in Mannington. She took great pride in her little business, many coming as strangers but left knowing they’d made a friend.

Weegie epitomized the saying “Never knew a stranger.” She welcomed all with open arms and with a loving heart, generous to a fault. She was a loving and devoted wife, mother, grandmother and friend. To know her was to know true strength, a beautiful loving soul, and a willingness to accept everyone without judgment.

In addition to her parents, Weegie was preceded in death by six siblings.

Family and friends may call at Masters Funeral Home in Mannington on Monday, February 28, 2022 from 2-8:00pm. Funeral services will be in the funeral home on Tuesday, March 1, 2022 at 1 p.m. with Minister Virginia Dorbeff officiating. Interment will follow at the Mannington Cemetery.