Mrs. Clara Starks

Clara Mae Starks (Gammy) was born on July 1, 1928 to the late Anderson and Annie Mae Hedgeman. At the age of three she was adopted and lovingly raised by John and Easter Whitehead. Clara attended school in her early years in Lake Providence and Pioneer Louisiana and later completed school in Berkeley California where she lived for seventeen years. Mother Clara loved music and began singing as a child at New Light Baptist Church in lake Providence. Later, she organized her own gospel group, and began to traveled to various places singing gospel music. Mother Clara began then moved to St. Louis Missouri, and later to Grand Rapids Michigan. In 1965 she moved to Texas, and became an active member of New Life Baptist Church. In 1976, she joined The Church by Christ Jesus, where she was baptized and filled with the Holy Ghost. She served faithfully over fifteen years under the leadership of the late Bishop Leroy Shankle, Sr. and Supervisor Verdia Shankle. Upon the leading of the Holy Spirit, on December 4, 2012, she later joined Grace Tabernacle Baptist Church under the leadership of Pastor Charles and Sis. Barbara Jeffery, where she was appointed to serve as the church mother. She was known for her beautiful, anointed voice that had a voice range from Alto to Bass. Her words of wisdom were unpredictable, and her knowledge phenomenal. Her council was sharp, yet true, as it uplifted and strengthened those who was blessed to hear and receive it. The fourth chapter of Judges speaks of Deborah the warrior and prophetess, our mother walked with the bull dog courage of Deborah. 2 Timothy 1:5 tells of Eunice, we saw how our mother walked in unfeigned faith, sincere faith as Eunice. In Act 9:36 tells of the servant Tabitha, our mother served tirelessly with the heart of a servant. She was a loving foster grandparent, a graduate of the Lufkin (Citizens) Police Academy in Lufkin TX. She was also an entrepreneur, owning a flower shop and two restaurants, as well as a graduate from beauty school as a licensed cosmetologist. She was united in matrimony to Robert Joe Starks in Lufkin Texas, where the two enjoyed traveling together. Her hobbies included cooking, fishing, gardening and journaling. On March 20, 2023 Mother Clara entered triumphantly into eternal rest, She is preceded in death by her husband Robert Joe Starks, mother Annie Mae Hedgeman, adopted parents John and Ester Whitehead, son Charlie DeSelle Jr, sisters Willie Mae Hopkins and Ruby Lee Steward, granddaughter Kianna Bailey and great grandson Ryan Houston. Those she leaves to cherish her precious memory include her eight children, sons, Anthony and Billy Mickens (Angela), daughters, Cheryl Smith (Thomas) Evelyn DeSelle Coutee, Betty Deselle Holman, Shelia Benemon, Sonya Bailey and Michelle DeSelle, and one grandson that she raised as her own Christopher Hill, and a host of loving grandchildren, great grandchildren and great great grandchildren, nieces, nephews, cousins, a loving spiritual family and many friends all who affectionately called her “Gammy”.

Mrs. Clara Starks

July 1, 1928 - March 20, 2023