Virginia Ann Starks-Hendricks
Virginia Ann Starks-Hendricks, 71, was born on September 23, 1951, in Chattanooga, Tennessee, and departed this life on September 6, 2023.
Virginia accepted Christ at an early age and was a lifetime member of Phillips Temple CME Church where she served in numerous capacities and positions during her lifetime which included Choir, Sunday School, and her latest position was Trustee for the church.
She was educated in the Chattanooga Public School System where she was a proud graduate of the Riverside High School Trojans class of 1969. She was a member of The Riverside High School Chorus, Pep Squad, and the Duchess Social Club. Virginia loved her classmates and would often get together for dinner and social events. She continued her education at East Tennessee State University where she obtained her BS Degree in social work.
Upon graduation, Virginia gained employment with the State of Tennessee in child services and from there she went to work at Dodson Avenue Health Center as a social worker. Virginia finally got her calling and that was with the American Red Cross as a social worker helping our Service Veterans with all their needs as well as a disaster relief specialist. While at the American Red Cross, Virginia received several awards and national recognition for her work with disaster relief services. Following her retirement after 30 plus years, Virginia found solace and peace while working in her yard with her many plants and flowers. She also loved caring for her tropical fish.
Virginia was a loving and caring person, to know her was to love her. She cared about family, friends, and humanity and was always willing to do whatever she could for her fellow man. She was an advocate of education, children’s causes, and an advocate for pet welfare. There is definitely a void in our lives with the loss of our dear Virginia.
Virginia was preceded in death by her parents, fathers, LaGrant Starks, Jr., Vilna L. Cross, Sr.; mother, Merriam Hill Cross; grandparents, LaGrant Starks, Sr. and Gladys Starks, James and Annie Mae Hill; sister, Patricia Glass.
She leaves to cherish her memory a devoted partner, Harold McKeldin of Chattanooga, TN; loving brothers, Vilna L. Cross, Jr., and Gary L. Cross both of Chattanooga TN; uncles, J.B. Starks and Lex Starks both of Chattanooga, TN, Clyde Starks of Pensacola FL, Tommy Snapp of Knoxville, TN; aunt, Doris Suddeath of Chattanooga, TN; nieces/great nieces, Lakisha Cross, LaQuanda Cross, Calmesha (Brandon) Thomas, Caliyah (Adarius) Sims, Reality Cross, Miracle Strickland, Brennan Thomas, and Malaya Knight all of Chattanooga, TN and Zona Glass (Artie) Lee of Menifee, CA, Sheronda (Eugene) Moore of Cincinnati, OH;
nephews, Tyjuan Cross and Gary D. Cross both of Chattanooga, TN, Gary D. Cross of Talladega, AL, Dante Cross and Jermaine Hubbard both of Detroit, MI, Tyler and Tyrell Spears both of Cincinnati, OH; goddaughter, Jillian Sanderfur of Chattanooga, TN; god sisters, Lovetta (Tony) Bowdry of Thomasville, GA, Wanda Lockett of Cincinnati, OH; special friends, Phyllis and Oscar Parks, Linda and Randy Stargin, Seretta Kirk-Kennedy, Patricia Sanderfur, Remell Sorrells, Tawana Grayson, Rosemary Porter, Tonya Pace Borders, Evelyn Baker, Pat Ross, Yvonne Zachary, Vivian Wright, and Elisha Grider all of Chattanooga, TN, Rev. Christiana Felix of Pittsburg, CA; a host of loving cousins and friends and her loving and caring neighbors on Woodmore View Circle.
Public viewing will be held from 2:00 PM until 6:00 PM, Friday, September 22, 2023, with the family receiving friends from 5:00 until 6:00 PM, at the Funeral Home.
An 11 AM funeral service will take place Saturday, September 23, 2023, in the Chapel of the Funeral Home.
Interment will be held at Lakewood Memory Gardens East. Arrangements by John P Franklin Funeral Home, 1101 Dodds Avenue, 423-622-9995.