Evelyn Starr Farris
Passed: December 05, 2023
Charleston, WV
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Evelyn Starr Farris
Passed: December 05, 2023
Charleston, WV
Obituary
Evelyn Starr Farris, 98, of Charleston, WV, died December 5, 2023, at Harmony at Southridge Assisted Living in South Charleston, WV.
Born Evelyn Mae Starr on February 4, 1925, in Louisa, KY, to Samuel and Mary (Ramey) Starr, she was preceded in death by her parents; by her sister, Dorothy Fields of Hometown, CA; by brothers, Merle and Marvin, both of Detroit, MI; and by her beloved husband, Ramon A. Farris of Charleston, WV.
She is survived by a daughter, Mary Ellen Farris McDavid of South Charleston, WV; by sons Dr. David R. Farris of Parkersburg, WV, and George Farris (and wife Kathleen Cather Farris) of Elkview, WV; by grandchildren Anthony James McDavid of Avon Lake, OH, and Lorien Starr McDavid of Orlando, FL; by step-grandchildren, Sarah Gibbs of Beaufort, SC, Patricia Kristine and Danielle Nicole Ward of Elkview, WV, Jonathan Tye Cather of Mishawaka, IN, and James Eldridge Wood of Modesto, CA, and by great-grandchildren Scarlett McDavid and James McDavid of Avon Lake, OH.
She was a graduate of Belfry High School in Pike County, Kentucky. Near the end of World War II, she began to study nursing at McMillan Hospital in Charleston, WV. She joined the U.S. Nurse Cadet Corps, founded by Congress in 1943 to address a nursing shortage brought about by the war.
She graduated in 1947 and subsequently worked as a registered nurse at McMillan Hospital until the hospital merged with Charleston General Hospital in 1971. She continued her career as a nurse until retiring on November 30, 1987.
Starr married Ramon A. Farris in 1950 at Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Charleston, WV.
Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 11:00 a.m. Saturday, December 9, 2023, at the Basilica of the Co-Cathedral of the Sacred Heart, 1114 Virginia Street East, Charleston, WV, with the Rev. Father Donald X. Higgs officiating. Burial will follow at Mount Olivet Catholic Cemetery, Charleston, WV.
Friends may visit the family an hour and a half prior to the service at the church.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made in her memory to the CAMC Foundation to support Nursing Education. Donations may be mailed to the CAMC Foundation, 3414 Staunton Avenue SE, Charleston, WV 25304. Please note in memory of Starr Farris.
Condolences may be sent to the family at www.barlowbonsall.com.
Barlow Bonsall Funeral Home has been entrusted with arrangements.
7 responses to Evelyn Starr Farris
Phil Pike says:
December 12, 2023
Starr was a dear friend of my mother Arleen Pike and was caring and attentive to my mom until she past in 2021. She lived a life of service to others. Those whose lives she touched were fortunate to have such an unselfish and loving person in their life. She was small but mighty. I’ll never forget the example she gave us of a life well lived.
Michael J. Lynch says:
December 9, 2023
Marry Ellen, George, David – Family:
I am sorry that your mother has passed. Starr was a good person and a kind soul. I know she will be greatly missed. May she rest in peace with God and Ramon. I don’t need to tell you; you were so fortunate to have two wonderful parents.
You are in my thoughts and prayers.
Michael J. Lynch
Carolyn Bailey, RN says:
December 9, 2023
I met Starr Farris in Sept. 1954. When I entered McMillan Hospital School of Nursing.
My class loved her and she set a great example fo,r us to follow.
Was very well respected by the Doctors, Nurses, and patients in her care.
She respected her cap, cape, pin and white shoes.
RIP Starr.
Condolences to family.
Betty Hughes says:
December 8, 2023
This is Betty Hughes (daughter of Evangeline Jones) and I remember Starr from McMillan so many years ago. My mother was director of nursing and Starr was one of her girls. She will be missef
Donna Hawkins says:
December 8, 2023
To George and the Farris family —
The Gabriel Project of WV’s Board of Directors and Staff send you our deepest sympathy, our prayers and our support during this difficult time. From reading about your mother, it is evident that she was a trailblazer, opening doors in the nursing profession and being an inspiration to many people. May your memories of the full life she led comfort and sustain you. And may God be with you now and always.