Joan B. Starnes passed away on July 26, 2023.

Originally from East Orange, New Jersey, she attended Tusculum College. There, she always proudly said, she and two friends stole the bell that rang for class changes and it wasn’t found until they had to anonymously drop hints as to its location. “

It was always found when the men stole it” she would say. She met her future husband, Carl, there as well as several life-long friends.

Joan had a long teaching career at Bulls Gap School.

Survivors include two daughters, Carla Starnes and Linda (Tom) Fulton; two grandsons, Kyle (Megan) Fulton and Adam (Kate) Fulton; one great-grandson, Preston Fulton; nieces, Kathy Klein and her son, Justin of Michigan and Beverly Becker of California; nephew Paul (Kitty)Becker and their son Graham of California; and many other nieces, nephews and cousins by marriage.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Carl Starnes; a son, Richard Starnes; her parents, Helen and Paul Becker; her stepfather, George Kehlbeck; and her brother, Richard “Dick” Becker.

The family will receive friends from 1-3 pm Sunday, August 13th at Doughty-Stevens Funeral Home.

Funeral services will follow visitation in the funeral home chapel at 3:00 pm with Pastor Wade McAmis officiating. Interment will be in Zion Cemetery at Baileyton.

Active pallbearers will be Kyle Fulton, Adam Fulton, Kenneth Bailey, Paul Becker, Sherman Starnes and John Gregg.

Honorary pallbearers will be Tom Fulton, Rob Bailey, Steve Hall, Norman Starnes, Bud Metz, Jim Riley, Martin Stanley, Manoj Marathe and “The BGs”.

The family would like express thanks to the special staff and residents at Morning Pointe of Greeneville, the staff of Jefferson City Health and Rehabilitation Center and Joan’s many supportive family members and friends.

In lieu of flowers, the family asks that memorial contributions be made to Devon Nicole House Foundation; P.O. Box 4206; Windham, NH 03087 (603)490-3671 or to Bulls Gap Elementary School for teacher supplies at 315 Allen Drive, Bulls Gap, TN 37711.

Doughty-Stevens Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.