It is with deepest sorrow that  Mrs. Bunnie (Julia) Cantlow, Mrs. DeVetta Williams Hughes and Mr. Winston DeWitt Williams announce the passing of their aunt, Mrs. Shirley (Tabbie) Williams Starks of Sarasota, FL.

Mrs. Shirley (Tabbie) Williams Starks died peacefully in her sleep on Friday, August 31, 2018 at her home in Sarasota, FL. A native of St. Stephen, SC, she was the daughter of late Rev. Willie and Gertrude Croker Williams.  She was married to the late Marion Starks of St. Stephen, SC.

Mrs. Starks graduated from Russellville High School in St. Stephen, SC in 1959.  Known for her keen sense of humor and straight talk, she worked as a Nurse Aid and retired from Mayfield Nursing Home in Hempstead, NY. Shirley was a longtime member of The Greater Allen African Methodist Episcopal Cathedral of Queens, NY where she was a proud member of the South Carolina club.
While in Florida, she united with the Church of the Holy Spirit in Osprey, FL. She loved to shop, play bridge, travel, and plan surprises for her family and friends. Family was at the core of her being. She cherished them and encouraged them to visit with her in Sarasota.

She is survived by: her son, Victor Anthony Starks, Nellie Diaz-Starks daughter in-law and granddaughter, Taylor Antonia Starks, all of Rockaway, NJ; three sisters, Veronica Davis of Waterbury, CT, Edna Boothe of Freeport, NY, Madelyn Hendricks of Plano, TX;  the Honorable Deirdre Hill of Rancho Paulo's, CA and Vincent George Hughes, Esquire of New York City, NY. Whose hearts are broken and who recognized her as a second Mom; a host of nieces, nephews, great nieces, great nephews and her beloved pet dog Oreo.

Shirley was preceded in death by her parents and siblings:  Earl, Wendell, Marvin, Margaret, Mildred, Genevieve, Altrea, Barbara, DeWitt and George.

Shirley's life partner of over 40 years George Vincent Hughes, transitioned on August 13, 2018.

A celebration of life service will be held at 10:00 am Saturday September 8, 2018 at TOALE BROTHERS FUNERAL HOME, 40 North Orange Avenue, Sarasota, Florida 34236.

Many thanks to those who saw to her every day need; especially Ms. Gretchel Portalatin along with many others.

We grieve much but understand the will of our Lord.  She is gone from our sight but never from our hearts.

In Lieu of Flowers the family of the late Shirley (Tabbie) Starks request donations be made to the National Multiple Sclerosis Society at www.nationalmssociety.org/donate in her honor.