Carol Starnes

Carol Rae Doxey Starnes, 77, of Spartanburg, SC, died Wednesday, October 28, 2015, at Mary Black Memorial Hospital-Spartanburg. Born September 16, 1938, in Wilmington, NC, she was the daughter of the late Sanford and Valerie Lockhart Sanders Doxey and widow of William Wellington Starnes. A 1956 graduate of New Hanover High School in Wilmington, NC, Mrs. Starnes received a Bachelor of Music Degree in Piano Performance from Salem College in Winston-Salem, NC. She later undertook special studies at the Universities of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and Greensboro, as well as at Duke University. She completed a Master's Degree in Piano Performance under the late Henry Rauch at Converse College in Spartanburg, SC and was honored as a 1988 Albert Schweitzer Medals for Artistry Concert "Medal for Piano" recipient. She was a longtime music instructor at Converse College (Pre-College Dept.), the Spartanburg Day School, and a private instructor at her home. She enjoyed classical music and opera and was a member of the Delta Omicron Music Society, a piano judge, and supporter of Spartanburg Little Theatre. She was also the composer of music for the South Carolina Children's Theatre performance of "The Magic of Christmas" at The Peace Center for the Performing Arts. Mrs. Starnes was a member of The Episcopal Church of the Advent in Spartanburg and St. Margaret's Episcopal Church in Boiling Springs, SC where she served as organist. She served as a supply pianist and organist at many local Presbyterian, Episcopal, and Lutheran churches. She also enjoyed her former role as Junior Choir director at The Episcopal Church of the Advent. Additionally, she was involved in the community as a counselor and taught parenting classes with REACH Upstate, was a literacy instructor at the Spartanburg County Jail, and was formerly employed with the U. S. Census Bureau. Carol was also a longtime member of the Spartanburg Junior League where she was instrumental in the creation of a cookbook for mentally challenged individuals and was a supporter and advocate for all activities of The Charles Lea Center. She was the former owner of Starnes Florist and a past-member of the Debutante Club of Spartanburg. Surviving are her children, Caroline Starnes Bell (Keith), William Wellington Starnes, Jr. (Ellie), and Sanford Doxey Starnes, all of Spartanburg, SC; grandchildren, Ellison Caroline Starnes and William Wellington Starnes III; and sister, Theresa Doxey Woodbury (Eugene) of Wrightsville Beach, NC. In addition to her parents and husband, she was predeceased by two brothers, Sanford Doxey, Jr. and Donald Kent Doxey; and beloved sister-in-law, Byah Thomason Doxey. Funeral services will be conducted at 2:00 PM Saturday, October 31, 2015, at The Episcopal Church of the Advent, 141 Advent St., Spartanburg, SC 29302. Visitation will follow the services in the Parish and Community Life Center of the church. Inurnment will be in the church columbarium. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Spartanburg Regional Home Hospice, PO Box 430, Drayton, SC 29333; or Lawson Academy of Arts at Converse College-Paula Morgan Scholarship, 580 East Main Street, Spartanburg, SC 29302. The family is at the home. An online guest register is available at www.floydmortuary.com Floyd's North Church Street Chapel To send flowers or a memorial gift to the family of Carol Doxey Starnes please visit our Sympathy Store.