Rose Marie Starks

With the love of God in her heart and the mercy of his word, Rose Marie Childers Starks, 84, departed this earthly world on Friday, May 6th, and was promoted to glory after suffering a stroke that followed a long illness.

Born August 20th, 1937, in Cincinnati, Ohio, Rose was the daughter of George Robert and Helena Thelma Childers, both of whom predeceased her. She was a loving daughter who honored and cherished her parents during their lives and death.

After graduating from Withrow High School in Cincinnati, Rose, along with her family, moved to Lawrenceburg, Indiana. Rose left home and moved to New York City, where she began her professional career. Later, she relocated to Columbus and became an Executive Secretary at the Shoe Corporation of America before becoming a Buyer/Assistant Department Manager at Lazarus Department Store in Kingsdale. She was one of the first black females to hold that position.

After marriage to the late Jim Starks, with whom she had one child, Monica Ann Starks, Rose became an entrepreneur and was owner-operator of both Jimmy's Place and Rose's Laundromat.

Rose was a volunteer at the former St. Thomas The Apostle Elementary School and served her community as a member of The Elegants Social Group. Her hobbies included sewing, which she perfected, making many of her clothes, macrame, and ceramics. She was known and loved for her culinary skills, especially her cake baking and famous barbecue sauce. She often provided catering for family and friends.

Remembered as a beautiful spirit, Rose helped anyone in need. She was loving, family-oriented, a perfectionist, and strong-willed, but respected for her wisdom and opinions.

Despite health issues over the last years, Rose, a devout Catholic, was of strong faith, and her will to live inspired her family each time she battled a health setback. She believed that her God would summons her in his time, and she was never afraid of his kingdom.

The matriarch of her family, Rose, is survived by siblings Joyce Childers, IN., Mary Meleschi, OH, Peggy Childers, OH, and Cisco Childers, OH; Kenneth Childers, of IL and Glen Childers, IN. Predeceased by sisters Juanita Fiffe and Ruth Todd, Rose is also survived by half-siblings George Childers, Arnetta Childers, Jerry Childers, and Monique Burgess, and predeceased by half-siblings Nathan, Jeweldine, and Bradley Childers.

Left to mourn her loss in addition to her siblings, Rose leaves her beloved daughter, Monica, who was her devoted caregiver, and Monica's son Joshua Leland, her cherished grandson. After her marriage, Rose united Monica with her siblings, Michael and Bruce Starks (Ohio), Philip Starks (Georgia), Kathy Starks Dow, and Frances Starks Walker (NJ), always promoting family love and connectivity. She will be loved in memory by her step-grandchildren, a host of nieces, nephews, and friends of the family.

The family will receive friends on Friday, May 13, 2022, from 9a.m. - to 10:30a.m., at St. Thomas the Apostle Catholic Church, 2692 E 5th Ave, Columbus, OH 43219, where a Mass of Christian Burial will begin at 10:30 a.m. Fr. Michael Fulton will officiate. Burial will follow at Green Lawn Cemetery.