STARR, Dessie Lou

ObitsArizona.com Dessie Lou Starr May 26, 1936 ~ December 27, 2011 Dessie Lou Starr lost her courageous battle with cancer at her home on December 27th, 2011 in Chandler, AZ, at the age of 75. She was born in Inglewood, California on May 31, 1936. Dessie is survived by her husband of 55 years Thomas Ellis Starr and eight of her ten children: Steven Lee Starr of California Valley, California, Chester Leroy Starr of Mesa, Gregory Ellis Starr of Tempe, John Graham Starr of Modesto, California, Matthew Gibson Starr of Mesa, Karen Marie Barthel of Kearney, Missouri, Tina Rose Johnson of Apache Junction, and Regina Ann Starr of Chandler. She is also survived by 26 grandchildren and 29 great-grandchildren, as well as four of her eleven siblings: Clyde Ely, Jerry Ely, LaDonna Gallego, and Leonard Ely. Dessie was a loving mother and wife who raised nine children. She loved Jesus and kept the family close throughout the years and will be dearly missed by her husband, brothers and sisters, children, and many grandchildren and great-grandchildren. She leaves a void in this family we will only try to fill with the Love we know she had for us all. She enjoyed playing golf, playing cards with her family and bingo. Boy, was she a competitor. Dessie was preceded in death by her beloved daughter Dessie LaDonna in 1989 and son Mark Graham in 1958; we believe that it will be a joyful reunion when she joins her children in heaven. Her funeral will be held on Tuesday, January 3rd at 10:30 a.m. at St. Andrew the Apostle Catholic Church at 3450 West Ray Road, Chandler, AZ 85226.