Rev. Karen Elizabeth Starr

Reverend Karen Elizabeth Starr met her Heavenly Father on January 8, 2024. As a pastor, Karen had a passion for ministry, for making and encouraging disciples and nurturing her congregations. A trail blazer, she was among the first women ordained into the United Methodist Church. She entered the ministry when it was difficult for women to gain acceptance in the local churches. But she persevered and was very proud of her 43 years in ministry. She completed her earthly assignment serving the Friendship-Heath Memorial Charge in the Rock Hill District. A graduate of her beloved USC and Duke School of Divinity, Karen’s ministry was colorful and extremely expansive having served throughout the entire State of South Carolina where she established many life-long friendships. The world truly was her parish. Additionally, Karen is particularly known for serving as the Chair of the Florence District Committee on Ministry and was mentor to many candidates who were led to explore their call into ministry. For those assigned and entrusted to her care and guidance, their lives were forever touched, and her wisdom was vital in shaping their ministries. Karen loved the children in her congregations. She probably spent as much time preparing the children’s moments as she did her sermons. The children loved her and looked forward to their times with her. Occasionally chaotic and always full of fun, the messages taught a lesson while engaging their senses. It was sometimes hard to tell who were the kids and who was the adult. After all, she was a big kid at heart. Karen was a Gamecock forever! A graduate of USC and a staunch supporter of Lady Gamecocks Basketball, she prided herself in meeting “Champ”, Dawn Staley’s dog when she stopped by her office to gift some heirloom USC porcelain to her favorite coach. And would ensure church services didn’t run over if Lady Gamecocks were playing that afternoon. Despite being a Covid long haul survivor, she found a way to continue a strong ministry, preaching with the use of oxygen, sometimes with the help of a walker or in a wheel chair her messages never wavered. She will be forever remembered for her love of Diet Mountain Dew, chocolates, Lady Gamecocks and, of course, her beloved animals. She was preceded in death by her father, David Glen Starr and mother Marion Greyson Starr. She is survived by her family of fur babies, Shelby, Gypsy, Sam, and Salkahatchie, her honorary nephews Jude and Jace Coates, her sister Glenn Ellen Starr Stilling, as well as many friends and congregations who will forever remember the impact she made in their lives. A Memorial Service is scheduled for January 30th at 2:00PM at Crescent Hill Memorial Gardens, 2603 Two Notch Rd. Columbia, SC. Shives Funeral Home, Trenholm Road Chapel, is serving the family. Memorials may be made to Friendship United Methodist Church, 1200 Neely Store Road, Rock Hill, SC.

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Rev. Karen Elizabeth Starr

March 25, 1958 - January 8, 2024