Flomitchell Starkey

STARKEY, FLOMITCHELL Funeral services are scheduled for 2:00 P.M. on Tuesday, April 6, 2010, at First United Methodist Church for Flomitchell Starkey, age 82, who passed away April 2, 2010. The Reverends Gorton Smith and Archie Echols will officiate with special music by the churchs Chancel Choir.

Flomitchell was born on June 16, 1927 to John Mitchell and Fannie Bell Williamson in Tahlequah, Oklahoma. Both precede her in death. On January 16, 1970, she married Rodney Starkey, who serviced the community in several capacities: as Center Director of Thiokol Corporation, later as Roswell Chamber of Commerce Director, and finally as Center Director of Roswell Job Corps. He precedes her in death. She is survived by one child, daughter Sherry Kay Witt Keefer of Roswell, as well as close and dear friends Sherry Eckel, her husband Jess and surrogate grandchildren, Megan and Brent Eckel and Fallon Barr.

Flomitchell or Flo as she was known to friends received her B.S. Degree in Education from Oklahoma State University and her M.S. Degree from New Mexico Western University. She began her teaching career at Walker Air Force Base in the Chaves County School system in 1950, where she subsequently became principal. Following the closing of Walker Air Force Base in 1967, Flo was employed as an administrator in the Roswell Independent School District. Beginning in 1971 and until her retirement, she held the position of Coordinator of LibraryMedia Services for the RISD.

Always pursuing excellence for her profession, Flo was a life long member of the Delta Kappa Gamma Society International, a professional organization dedicated to improving the status of women in education. She was a founding member of Delta Kappa Gammas Roswell Alpha Theta Chapter in 1954 where she serves as chapter president from 196062. She represented women educators of New Mexico at local, state, and international meetings when was Theta State Chairman of Community Services and Second VicePresident of Theta State from 19651967. Coordinating numerous leadership training workshops at the state level, she continuously urged women educators to make their voices heard and their influence felt in changes occurring within the field of education. In 1977, Ms. Starkey published a book review in Learning Today, Winter Issue. She also contributed a chapter to a book, Library Media Programs and the Special Learner in 1981. In her work as Media Coordinator for RISD, she gave numerous presentations to state and national library conventions and served as a judge for the prestigious Newberry Caldecott Childrens National Book awards and on the Land of Enchantment Committee for best childrens book in New Mexico. As appreciation for her contributions to education, she received the Theta State Achievement Award, which paid tribute for her outstanding service to and leadership in education at the community, state, and national levels.

Ms. Starkeys other professional memberships and activities included officeholder in the local branch of American Association of University Women, membership in the New Mexico School Administrators Association, New Mexico Library Association, National Association of Regional Media Centers, and New Mexico International Reading Association. She also gave generous of her time to the local community, having served as ViceChairman of the Convention Committee of the Roswell Chamber of Commerce and as president and longtime member of Chaves County Assistance League. In addition, she was an active member of First United Methodist Church and past choir member of the Chancel Choir.

Although active professionally, Ms. Starkey always found time for special personal interests, which included family gatherings with her beloved daughter, Sherry and special friends, the Jess Eckels and their children Megan and Brent. She was an ardent fan of the Dallas Cowboys and the Los Angeles Lakers. She was always recognized as a skilled seamstress and gourmet cook. In later years, she enjoyed eating out with her daughter Sherry and close friends from her school career. She will be greatly missed by all those who were recipients of her love and generosity throughout the years.

Pallbearers are Jess Eckel, Brent Eckel, Ed Lawrence, Rod Schumacher, Jeff Bishop, Bill Tartar, Bill French, Penrod Toles, and Jim Waldrip. Honorary pallbearers are: members of the Rocky Sunday School Class of First United Methodist Church.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that those wishing to honor Flomitchell Starkeys life make donations to the Cowboy Bell Scholarship at First United Methodist Church: 200 N. Pennsylvania, Roswell, NM 88201 or the Roswell Humane Society: 703 E. McGaffey St., Roswell, NM 88203.

Visitation

LaGrone Funeral Chapel
900 South Main
Roswell, NM  88203
Saturday, April 3, 2010
9:00 A.M.

Service

FUNERAL SERVICE

First United Methodist Church
200 N. Pennsylvania
Roswell, NM  88201
Tuesday, April 6, 2010
2:00 P.M.

Cemetery

South Park Cemetery
3101 S. Main
Roswell, NM  88203

Memorial Contributions

First United Methodist Church
Roswell, NM  88201


703 E. MCGAFFEY
ROSWELL, NM  88203