Phyllis Ashley Starnes

Indian Land, SC - Mrs. Phyllis Ashley Starnes, 87, of Fort Mill, SC, passed away peacefully Tuesday, June 10, 2025, at The Meridian at Carolina Lakes.

The family will receive friends at 1:00 pm Thursday, June 12, 2025, at St. John’s UMC, Fort Mill, SC and a funeral service will follow at 1:30 pm with Rev. Karen Radcliffe officiating. Burial will be in Unity Cemetery.

Born in Fort Mill, Phyllis was the daughter of the late Beatrice Honeycutt Ashley and Leonard Ashley, both of Fort Mill. A devoted daughter, wife, mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother, Phyllis lived a life centered on faith, family, and love. She married her childhood sweetheart, Stanley Carter Starnes, and together they shared 55 wonderful years of marriage before his passing. Phyllis cherished time with her granddaughters, creating treasured memories both at her home in Fort Mill and during family trips to Lake Lure in the mountains of North Carolina. Over the past two years, she embraced the special joy of becoming a great-grandmother, lovingly spending time with her great-grandson, Aaron and great-granddaughter, Joy.

A lifelong member of St. John’s United Methodist Church in Fort Mill, Phyllis was an active member in her church community. She found deep connection and joy serving in her women’s circle group, participating in Bible studies, and sharing meals and fellowship with the ladies of Whiteville Park.

Phyllis is survived by her daughter, Deborah Starnes Rouse (Kenneth); her granddaughters, Taylor Carter Best (Jared) and Chandler Clarke Rouse; and her great-grandchildren, Aaron Allen and Joy Carter Best.

In lieu of flowers donations may be made to Agape Care South Carolina by going to https://carnationfoundation.org/, or to St. Johns UMC, PO Box 1298, Fort Mill, SC, 29716.

Whitesell Funeral Home is serving the family.

The service will be livestreamed my the church.  You can watch the service by clicking this link:  https://youtube.com/live/rLZdST1YrlM