Carolyn Anderson Glenn Starnes, 85, passed peacefully from this life on January 22, 2024, attended by her family.
A visitation will be held Sunday beginning at 1 PM with funeral services following at 3 PM. Interment will be in Ripley Memorial Gardens. Garner Funeral Home of Ripley has charge of the services.
She was born March 13, 1938, the youngest of five children to Jessie Caroline Barrett and Tom Anderson. She grew up in the Mt. Carmel community of Tipton County, in a house which is now an event center, Mount Carmel Manor. She had two sisters, Elizabeth and Ann, and two brothers, Tom Jr. and Rodney, all of whom pre-deceased her.
She married Thurmond Glenn, September 2, 1956 and had three children: Catherine Glenn (Ricky) Holcomb; Danna Glenn (Jody) Walker; and Phillip (Cynthia) Glenn. Thurmond died in 1971.
On August 17, 1980, she married Floyd “Sonny” Starnes and was mother to Lee (Kim) Starnes, and Tommy Starnes. Floyd pre-deceased her.
She is survived by her children, and nine grandchildren: Carole, Benton, Barrett, Elizabeth, Kalli, Logan, Tabitha, Cole and Lauren. One grandchild, G.H., pre-deceased her.
She has sixteen great grandchildren: Hunter, Carley, Riley, Reagan, Reese, Rhett, Maddox, McKinnley, Emma, Paul, Conner, Leighton, Caroline, Eli, Andrew, Annie Gayle; and three great great grandchildren: Garrett, Tucker, Ivy.
She worked as a court-reporter in Criminal Courts of the 25th Judicial District from 1966 to her retirement in 2000. She served as Vice-chair of Corrections Management Corporation and was on the Ladies Auxiliary of the VFW.
She brought joy to all who knew her. Some comments posted on her passing: “You started smiling at the sight of her, because you knew fun was approaching.” “When I saw her I might as well start laughing; when I think of her I smile. She was definitely one of a kind.” “She was so witty and kind.” “Barrel of fun and humor.” “You never knew what she was going to say.” “Ms. Carolyn was truly one the greatest people I ever knew, and helped shape me as a young lawyer years ago.” “Everyone that knew Biggie has a funny story to tell. She was the biggest personality in the room, and I know heaven is extra loud today.”
Funeral services are January 28 at First United Methodist Church, 145 S. Main, Ripley, TN 38063 with visitation from 1 to 3 p.m. and services at 3 p.m.
She was a member of Immanuel Episcopal Church and a member of Daughter of the King. Memorials can be sent to Immanuel Episcopal Church, P.O. Box 513, Ripley, TN 38063 or Martha’s Cupboard, First Methodist Church, Ripley.
