Rheba Johnson Starnes

Rheba Johnson Starnes, age 93, of Lebanon, VA, died peacefully at her home surrounded by her beloved family, on Tuesday March 19, 2024. She was a 1948 graduate of Lebanon High School and a member of Green Valley Baptist Church. Rheba was a devoted wife, mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother. 

She was preceded in death by her parents, Ollie B. and Croda M. Johnson, and her husband of 50 years, Russell H. Starnes.

Rheba is survived by her daughter: Vicki Starnes Burkett and husband Curtis, of Abingdon, VA; son: Stephen H. Starnes and wife Nancy, of Abingdon, VA; granddaughters: Julie Starnes Ferguson and husband Justin, of Abingdon, VA, Amanda Burkett Light and husband Matthew of, Abingdon, VA, Jenny Starnes Carpenter and husband Ben, of Bristol, VA, Stephanie Starnes Howard and husband Christopher, of Damascus, VA, Rebekah Burkett Price and husband James, of Abingdon, VA; thirteen great-grandchildren: Jack, Max, Beau and Marley Ferguson, Addison Light, Charli and Ollie Carpenter, Lucy, Albert and Frankie Howard, and Anna Claire, Emma and Jacob Price. She is also survived by her siblings, Henrietta Keene, of Lebanon, VA, Margaret Duty, of Lebanon, VA, Tom Johnson, and wife Nancy, of Christiansburg, VA, Anne Busic, of Wytheville, VA, and special friends Louise Hubbard, Maggie Hancock, Mary Lou Barrett, and Mary Rasnake.

The family will receive friends on Sunday March 24, 2024, from 12:00 until 2:00 pm in the Combs-Hess Funeral Service Chapel in Lebanon, VA. A funeral service will follow at 2:00 pm in the funeral home with Rev. Darrell Fletcher officiating. Entombment will immediately follow in the Ketron Memorial Gardens Mausoleum.

Pallbearers will be grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

Flowers will be accepted, or memorial contributions may be made to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, P.O.Box 1999 Memphis, TN 38101

Honorary pallbearers are Phillip Henley, Greg Hancock, Joel Gilmer, and Frank Gent.

Expressions of sympathy may be made on our website at www.chfunerals.com or our Facebook page.  Combs-Hess Funeral and Cremation Service, 291 Highway 71, Lebanon, Virginia 24266, 276-889-4444.