Mr. Roy Gilbert Stark, Jr., age 94, of Springfield, died on Sunday, August 8, 2021 at the Morningside Assisted Living in Springfield, Tennessee. Roy was born November, 19, 1926 in Coopertown, Tennessee to the late Leonard Bell Lee, Sr. and wife Dollie. In addition to his parents, Roy is preceded in death by his wife, Rachel Gregory Stark (died 2001); brother, Charles Stark; sister, Virginia Lee Nichols Elrod.
Roy grew up in Coopertown from 1926 till 1946, a share croppers son. At age nine he started working on the farm and from there he became a School Bus Dispatcher, Truck Driver, Branch Freightline, and Robertson County School Board Member. He was a member of Grace Baptist Church and became a Deacon in 1955. Chairman of Deacons. He was Executive Board Member of Robertson County Baptist Association for several years as well as Sunday School Director. He was also Chairman of the Robertson County Baptist Association that included Basketball and Softball through the 1970’s.
Roy is survived by his sons, Roy G. Stark, Jr. of Springfield, Gregory Kempf (Cindy) of Charlotte, Tennessee; daughter, Dawn (Mike) Stephens of Clarksville, Tennessee; grandchildren, Mike Stark of White Bluff, Tennessee, Robert (Amber) Stark of White House, Tennessee, Wayne (Angela) Moorefield of Lebanon, Tennessee, Emily Stark (Matt) O’Connel; step-grandson, Michael (Ashley) Stephens of Scott, Michigan; Six Great-grandchildren; several nieces and nephews.
Funeral services will be conducted on Wednesday, August 11, 2021 at 11:00am in the chapel of Austin & Bell Funeral Home in Springfield with Brother Steve Freeman and Brother Bob Carroll officiating. Burial will follow in the Lee Cemetery in Coopertown. Visitation with the family will be held on Tuesday, August 10 from 4:00pm – 8:00pm and again on Wednesday from 10:00am until time of service at 11:00am. The American Legion, VFW will serve as pallbearers. Honorary Pallbearers will be Eastland Heights Baptist Church Boy’s Sunday School Class of 1960’s. The family request that donations be made to the Comfort Care Hospice or the Wounded Warrior Project. All donations may be sent care of the Austin & Bell Funeral Home.
