Mrs. Helen S. Starr

Mrs. Helen S. Starr,103, of Atlanta, Georgia, who was a loving wife, mother, sister, aunt, and grandmother passed away on the evening of Tuesday, June 1, 2021.

Mrs. Starr was born on Wednesday, October 19, 1917, in Macon, Georgia to Annie Talton LeVel and she had a brother named William McCaslin (deceased). Twenty years later, Buster Starr met Helen. On Saturday, February 13, 1937, Buster and Helen were united in bonds of matrimony in Atlanta, Georgia by Reverend Samuel Pettagrue. Mrs. Starr graduated from Booker T. Washington High School and attended Clark College. During the Civil Rights era, Helen and Buster worked alongside Reverend Ralph David Abernathy and Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. to help the betterment of African Americans in Atlanta. Mrs. Starr was one of the first Election Poll Managers for the Voter’s Registration in Fulton County. She also worked at the Atlanta Life Insurance Company and became the Consolidated Mortgage and Loan Company manager on Auburn Avenue. Mrs. Starr’s administrative professionalism and managerial talents led her to work for Dr. Samuel M. Nabrit, who served under three U.S. Presidents and founded the National Fellowship Fund, which helped African American students fund their undergraduate and graduate studies. Ultimately, she retired from Emory University in 1984.

Furthermore, Mrs. Helen Starr was a longtime resident of the Dixie Hill Community. She participated in the Atlanta area bridge club and was one of the founders of St. Paul of the Cross Catholic Church in Collier Heights and was a long-time parishioner at St. Anthony of Padua Catholic Church in the West End. Her hobbies included listening to great music, dancing, gardening, and saying her Rosary. Mrs. Starr said, “the secrets to longevity are prayer, crossword puzzles, and enjoying a cold Coca-Cola.”

Mrs. Starr’s husband, Buster, preceded her in death after 30 years of marriage. Memories of Helen will always be cherished by her daughter Dr. Bonnie (Johnnie), granddaughters Megan (Dr. Morgan) and Taylor (Nash), nephews and nieces (William Derek, Lisa, Lori (deceased), Maurice, Alfred, Kaylita, Dwayne, James, and Sabur), and a host of other nieces and nephews, family, and friends. 

 
We’d like to acknowledge Golden Rule Hospice for her care; Father Desmond Drummer and Deacon Dr. Fred Toca with Most Blessed Sacrament Catholic Church for officiating the funeral; relatives Jerry Freeman, Jason Freeman, and Fernando Gordon for providing music at the homegoing service; the Gordon family for hosting the repast at their home; cousin Chris Andrews, William G. Murray, II, Emanuel Longino, Rodrick Bass, and the rest of the caring staff at William Gayleano Murray and Son Funeral Home; and the caring staff at South-View Cemetery. 

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