Carlena Taylor Starkey

On Thursday, October 16, 2025, Jesus called Carlena Lee Taylor Starkey and said, “The Heavenly home that I have prepared for you is ready.” Carlena was born on February 4, 1934, to the late Jim Tom and Margaret Wright Taylor. In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her first husband, Milton Monroe Starkey, and two of their three children blessed by this union, Sharon Kay Starkey and Cynthia Denise Starkey; her second husband, Leonard Starkey; and three brothers, Dalton, Forest, and Jimmy Roscoe Taylor.

She was a graduate of Franklin County Training School in Rocky Mount, Virginia. Carlena was a loyal and faithful member of First Mount Airy Baptist Church in Hardy, Virginia for over 50 years until her health began to decline. She always remembered her pastor and church family in her morning and evening devotions.

She served in many areas of the church, but on May 21, 2016, she received the greatest call anyone could ever receive, The Lord called her to tell the Good News to the unsaved. Since then, she shared the Gospel with family and anyone who would listen. She was a cheerful giver to her church and others.

Those left to cherish her memory are one son, Kenneth Monroe Starkey and his wife Debbie Lynn Starkey; one grandson, Shawnel Monroe Preston and his wife Brianne Preston; two great-grandsons, Xavier Monroe Preston and Myles Terrel Preston; one sister, Juanita Witcher; several sisters-and brothers-in-law; many nieces, nephews, cousins, other family members and friends.