Betty Ruth Starnes

Starnes, Betty Hughen, passed away peacefully February 24, 2010, at her Park Springs residence in Stone Mountain, Georgia.  Her tremendous faith and beautiful, positive outlook on life kept her happy and smiling and sharing her love, despite her battle with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. 

She is survived by her husband, James L. (Jim) Starnes. Their marriage of forty eight years, gave them seven children from combined families, and the opportunity to raise three daughters and four sons. The surviving daughters are Courtenay Budd, of Newnan, Teresa Campbell of Atlanta and Bonnie Starnes of San Francisco. The sons are Les Starnes and Mark Starnes of Atlanta, John Starnes of Nashville and Randy Starnes of Los Angeles. There are fourteen grand children and nine great grandchildren.

Betty was born in Wilson, OK, in 1925, to Roy and Maude Hughen. She graduated from the University of Oklahoma and was very proud of her degree in anatomy and membership in Phi Beta Kappa honor society.

She resided for many years in Dallas, TX, where she loved being a career woman. She was featured in WHO’S WHO IN AMERICAN WOMEN and in demand nationally as a featured speaker before business and religious groups, as well as a special trainer/lecturer for both Delta and American Airlines.  During her professional travels, she met the true love of her life, Jim Starnes, and took a career break to raise their seven children. 

Known for her beauty and her “magnetic” personality, it was fitting that she and Jim became early leaders in NIKKEN, a company known internationally for its magnetic health-care philosophies.  They reached one of the highest levels of leadership and were the first couple to receive a LIFETIME ACHIEVEMENT AWARD.

Betty never stopped her love of learning, sharing her knowledge and inspiring others.  She will be lovingly remembered by her family and many friends whose lives she deeply touched.

There will be a Celebration of Life service at noon on Tuesday, March 2, at A. S. Turner & Sons Funeral Home, 2773 N. Decatur Rd., Decatur, Ga., 404-292-1551. Family will receive friends immediately after the service. 

In lieu of flowers, memorial gifts may be made to the Park Springs Foundation for the Cobblestone Hospice Care.