Obituary of Roy O. Starnes

Roy O. "Rabbit" Starnes, 85 of Kingsport went to his heavenly home early Sunday morning, October 12, 2014 with his family by his side. He was born in Scott County and lived the majority of his life in Kingsport. He was a veteran of the U.S. Air Force serving as a military policeman. Following his service to our country, he worked for many years as an appliance repairman being owner/operator of Roy's Appliance Service. He also followed his true love of music and sound. Roy owned/operated Sounds Reel Recording until his health declined. He installed numerous sound systems in many churches throughout the surrounding area. Mr. Starnes sang in various quartets in this area the most recent being the Melody Men. He was a longtime member of Fellowship Free Will Baptist Church where he also operated and maintained the sound system. His true love was his family and was so proud of his grandchildren. He was known to so many as "Daddy Roy" and "Papaw" He was preceded in death by his parents, Walker Wade Starnes and Ellen Hill Starnes; sisters, Beulah Starnes, Lottie Starnes, Mattie Bellamy, Ora Peters, Joyce Starnes; brother, Johnny Starnes. He is survived by his loving wife of 65 years, Joan Ellis Starnes; daughters, Marsha Mullins and husband Wayne, Tammy Gibson and husband Gary all of Kingsport; grandsons, James (Jamie) Tipton and wife Rebecca of GA, Justin Mullins and wife Stacey of TX, Jerrod Tipton and wife Crissy of FL, Wesley Mullins and wife Sally of Maryville, TN; granddaughter, Alexa (Niki) Tipton of Kingsport; step mother, Nan Starnes; step grandsons, Derwin Gibson, Michael Gibson and wife, Whitney; step granddaughters, Felicia Conners and husband Ed, Serina Gilliam; and special friend Lee Morelock; ten great grandchildren, Evelyn and Xavier Tipton, Zoe and Hank Mullins, Laine and Harper Tipton, Piper Mullins, Kynston, Amilah and Lazarus Tatchi; step grandchildren, Brooke and Bryanna Couch, Austin, Sean, and Marlon Conners, Zachary Gilliam, Everlee and Hadlee Gibson; sisters, Agnes Carter Kilgore, Grace Ferguson, Rose Fritz, Judy Stallard and husband, Lawton; brother, Bob Starnes and wife, Ginger, Bill Starnes and wife Linda, Charles (Chuck) Starnes; a special "adopted granddaughter", Tanya Cato. The family will receive friends from 4 pm to 7 pm on Tuesday October 14, 2014 at Fellowship Freewill Baptist Church 2313 Portland Avenue, Kingsport, TN, 37660 or anytime at his residence. A service will follow at 7 pm at the church with Pastor Bob Lewis officiating. Eulogy will be provided by Justin Mullins. A graveside service will be held at 11 am on Wednesday, October 15, 2014 at Oak Hill Memorial Park. Pallbearers will be Jamie Tipton, Justin Mullins, Jerrod Tipton, Wesley Mullins, Michael Gibson, JR Pearcy, Chad Nixon, Kevin Doran, and Tim Bruce. Honorary Pallbearers will be Jack Taylor, Mack Lane, Tommy Reeves, Pedro Reeves, Bill Reeves, Mike Bays, Charlie Williams, Joe Kilgore, Mark Adams, Steve Bruce and his nephews. Memorial contributions may be sent to Fellowship Freewill Baptist Church, 2313 Portland Avenue, Kingsport, TN 37660. Carter-Trent/Scott County Funeral Home is serving the Starnes family.