Heather Starnes

Heather Shay Starnes, 40, of Hickory, passed away April 19, 2018.

Born March 3, 1978 in Waynesville, NC, she was the daughter of Hoyt Barnes and Brenda Putnam Barnes.

She was preceded in death by her maternal grandfather, Mont Putnam and paternal grandfather, Dexter Barnes.

She was a member of St. Alban's Episcopal Church in Hickory and Balsam Baptist Church in Haywood Co. Active in the church, Shay enjoyed singing in the choir and playing handbells. Beginning in 2006, she made two mission trips to India to work with the orphans of Nagpur.

Shay graduated Magna Cum Laude from Western Carolina University and earned her Master's Degree in Music Education from UNCG. She was a chorus teacher for 17 years in the Caldwell Co. School System, all of which were spent at Granite Falls Middle School. Her students loved her dearly and she loved them in return, always making sure that they had everything they needed for class. Her influence inspired many former students to pursue careers of their own in music education.

Shay was passionate about all types of music and loved picking the banjo most of all. She had a beautiful singing voice and was a member of the Hickory Choral Society for several years. She loved outdoor adventures including hiking and fly fishing.

Shay made friends wherever she went and was affectionately known as the "Princess," a title that suited her well.

She is survived by her husband, Jacob McCoy Starnes of Hickory; her parents of Waynesville, NC; brother, Chris Barnes and sister-in-law Karen; niece, Melissa, and nephew, Morgan; paternal grandmother, Louise Barnes; maternal grandmother Lucy Putnam; mother-in-law, Lisa Starnes of Hickory; and several aunts and uncles.

A memorial service for Shay will be held in Waynesville as well, at Balsam Baptist Church on Thursday, April 26th. Visitation will begin at 3:00 p.m. with the service to follow at 5:00 p.m. Pastors Greg Cullen and Johnny Swanger will officiate.

Memorials may be sent in her honor to the Shay B. Starnes Scholarship Fund, Hometrust Bank, 800 Russ Ave., Waynesville, NC 28786 or to Crosspoint of India, 3714 Gailyn Dr., Bartlett, TN 38135.

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