Anna Virginia Brooks Starling, 93, of Huntington, WV completed her earthly journey on December 16, 2018. Mrs. Anna Virginia Brooks Starling, fondly known as “Honey” to her daughter and granddaughters, was born in Sedalia, Missouri on October 4, 1925. She was the third and youngest daughter of the late Dr. Lawrence Floyd Brooks, MD and Mrs. Ethel Simpson Brooks. She is predeceased by her sisters Marian Brooks DuBose and Edna Elizabeth Brooks, MD. Anna was the proud wife of the late Edward “Ed” Milford Starling, Jr, former Associate Athletic Director for Marshall University. Anna is survived by her daughter, Gina Ellen Starling Gunn; son-in-law, Michael C. Gunn M.D., grand-daughters, Natalie Nicole Gunn, Karen Alexis Gunn, and Lauren Michelle Gunn; First Cousin, Alfreda Diggs Aldridge; and a host of family and loved ones, including Vickie Murdock, Joyce Gregory, and Drake and Connie Wellington. Anna grew up in Meridian, Mississippi where she was an active member of St. Paul United Methodist Church. She was a curious student, active athlete and a founding member of the first black Girl Scout troop in the Dixie region formed in 1938. She attended Wechsler Elementary and graduated from TJ Harris High School in 1943. Anna went on to gain a Bachelors of Arts in Home Economics from Wiley College in Marshall, Texas. As a college student, she was initiated into Phi Chapter of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated and reigned as Miss Wiley College during her tenure. After graduating from Wiley in 1947, Anna’s love of fashion and exploration led her to New York City where she enrolled at a prestigious millinery school to study hat design. Due to an eye injury, Anna was unable to complete her fashion studies however, she remained a sharp dresser and a fashion aficionado. With fashion studies laid aside, Anna set off in search of a new adventure which led her to Lakin, West Virginia to teach. While in Lakin, Anna met the love of her life, Ed. Anna and Ed married on December 27, 1951 in St. Louis, Missouri. The happy couple shared a passion for sports, snappy dressing and travel. They made a home in Williamson, West Virginia and were blessed with one daughter, Gina Ellen. Anna was a dedicated mother and educator. She taught Gina to read at an early age and was a skilled teacher at Red Jacket Elementary, fostering a life time love of learning in all of her students. Anna’s adventure continued when the family moved to Huntington, West Virginia where Ed took a job as the Assistant Men’s Basketball Coach at Marshall University. She taught at Cammack School for 35 years, tirelessly sowing into her students. Anna and Ed were active members of their community and Ebenezer United Methodist Church. In 1987, Anna retired alongside Ed, so they could pursue their love of travel and exploration in their motorhome. The couple crisscrossed the nation many times covering all 48 contiguous states, making special stops in Nashville, Tennessee to visit with their daughter, Gina and her family. Anna chronicled their travels and her shopping along the way. In 1995, after 44 years of marriage, Ed and Anna’s joint adventure ended. She continued to explore on her own and with family after Ed’s death, traveling extensively to Europe, Australia, South America and the Caribbean. Anna also continued to foster her creative spirit through line dancing and painting. She especially loved artist, Jonathan Green, and his work often served as her inspiration. Her favorite travels, while not exotic, were to see her family and notably her granddaughters usually in Nashville, Tennessee or Washington, D.C. Honey never missed a graduation or special moment. This love of travel and family persisted as Honey’s last trip was to Aruba for Thanksgiving this past November. Anna’s visitation will be on December 20, 2018 at 10:00 a.m. at St. Joseph’s Catholic Church in Huntington, WV. The Ivy Beyond the Wall service will begin at 10:30 a.m. Funeral service to follow at 11:30 a.m. The family extends gratitude and thanks to Hospice of Huntington and Kindred Health. Condolences to the family may be sent to Hall Funeral Home, 625 County Road 775, PO Box 391, Proctorville, OH 45669. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations to the Edward Starling Athletic Scholarship Fund at Marshall University.
