Helen Lorette Frye Starnes

Helen Lorette Frye Starnes, age 93, lovingly known as Lorette, passed away on September 18, 2026, at her home in Alexander County. She was born on April 11, 1933, in Alexander County.

During her working career, Lorette worked at Southern Hosiery Mill as a sock folder. She was a woman who found joy in the simple and meaningful things of life. She enjoyed cooking, making homemade livermush and pickles, and she also enjoyed doing crossword puzzles, playing cards, and gardening. Above all, she loved her family and cherished spending time with them, making memories that will be held close for years to come.

She was preceded in death by her father, Alvin Frye, and her mother, Willie Lee Bowman Frye; her first husband, Glenn Starnes; her second husband, Ned David Starnes; her stepchildren, John Starnes and Margaret Keller; her grandchildren, Kristy Johnson and Bobby Thorneburg; her brothers, Kenneth Frye and Glenn Frye; and her sisters, Mildred Weaver and Carlene Huffman.

Lorette leaves behind a family who will remember her with love and gratitude. She is survived by her children, Dale Starnes, Scotty Starnes and his wife, Debra, and Regina Smith; her stepchildren, Johnny Starnes Jr., Tammy Gibbs, and Karen Cooke; her brother, Gary Frye and his wife, Patsy; her sister, Jolene Fox; and her grandchildren, Derick Johnson and his wife, Christie, Courtney Starnes, Jody Adams, Olivia Lee and her husband, Sawyer, Michelle Bennett and her husband, Darius, and Angela Johnson and her husband, Tony; 20 great-grandchildren, several great-great-grandchildren, great-great-great-grandchildren; and her brother-in-law, Connelly Huffman. The time she shared with her family was deeply treasured, and her love for them was at the heart of her life.

Visitation will be held on Thursday, September 24, 2026, from 2:00 pm until 3:00 pm at Shiloh Lutheran Church, located at 1011 Shiloh Church Road, Hickory, North Carolina 28601. The funeral service will be Thursday, September 24, 2026, at 3:00 pm at Shiloh Lutheran Church. Burial will follow in the church cemetery. Pastor Jason Sigmon will officiate. Josh Teague, Courtney Starnes, Johnnie Shull, Jody Adams, Clayton Haas, and Preston Shoemaker will serve as pallbearers.

Lorette’s life was marked by devotion to her work, enjoyment of her home and hobbies, and deep love for her family. Her memory will remain a lasting blessing to all who knew and loved her.

Funeral arrangements have been entrusted to Alexander Funeral and Cremation Service.

Condolences may be sent to www.alexfuneralservice.com