Mista Renae Starkey, 43, departed this life on Saturday, April 16, at her home in Camdenton after a long battle with breast cancer. She was born May 5, 1967, in Washington, MO, the daughter of Melford and Mary Martin. Mista grew up in Owensville where she attended Owensville Christian Church and graduated from Owensville High School. Mista held degrees from Missouri State University and the University of Missouri – St. Louis.
She was united in marriage to Doug Starkey on May 27, 1989, in Springfield. Mista, Doug and her family lived in the St. Louis area for many years where Mista was a stay-at-home mom, children’s minister, elementary school counselor and librarian. They moved to the Lake of the Ozarks area in 2004 where Mista and Doug were teachers for the Camdenton R-III School District. Mista was the Oakridge Elementary Librarian and was also one of the Hawthorn Elementary Librarians. Mista’s greatest joy in life was spending time with her family, working with kids and sharing her faith.
Throughout her life, Mista displayed her faith by investing her time and energy in the lives of people. In her own quiet way, she was always willing to discuss her breast cancer experience with others as well as share the source of her hope and peaceful optimism.
Mista is survived by her husband of 22 years, Doug; two sons, Skylar and Tristan; one daughter, Gabrielle; parents, Melford and Mary Martin, of Owensville; one sister, Monique Epstein, and her husband, Chris, and their two sons, Zaid and Crew, all of Owensville, and several other relatives and friends. Mista is the daughter-in-law of Gene Starkey of El Dorado Springs.
There will be a’“Celebration of Life” service for Mista Starkey at 5 p.m. Sunday, May 1, in the Camdenton High School Auditorium. From 3 p.m. until the start of the service, there will be a time to offer condolences to the family in the Camdenton High School commons area.
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to: Starkey Children Education Fund, Camdenton R-III Foundation, P.O. Box 1409, Camdenton, MO 65020
