Marilyn Starr Whitehead, age 88, a resident of Fort Walton Beach, Florida passed away on April 3, 2025.
Graveside services will be held at 12:00 PM on Wednesday, April 9, 2025 at Cottonwood City Cemetery in Cottonwood, Alabama.
Starr was born on September 16, 1936 to Victoria and Ancil Hughes in Cottonwood, AL. In December of 1953, she married the love of her life, Charles Raymond Whitehead, while he was home on a furlough from the Army. She graduated from high school in the spring of 1954. Then she rode a train to New York City and later set sail alone to Kaiserslaughtern, Germany where her and Charles started their married life while being stationed with the Army. After Charles was honorably discharged from the Army, they moved to Tuscaloosa, Alabama for him to pursue a degree at the University of Alabama. Roll Tide! While living in Tuscaloosa, Starr gave birth to their first two children, Charles Whitehead, Jr. in 1957 and Patti (Whitehead) Walker in 1959. When Charles graduated from The University of Alabama, all the wives earned degrees signed by the president of Alabama called the PHT-Putting Hubby Through. After living for a short time in Orlando, they moved to Fort Walton Beach. In 1964, Starr gave birth to Mark Whitehead. As Charles’ career progressed, Starr found her place in Fort Walton Beach, FL. She took art classes, held positions in her kids’ PTAs (Parent Teacher Association), was president of the Vitro Wives Club, and president of the Beta Sigma Phi sorority. In 1969, she gave birth to her fourth child, Shelley (Whitehead) Rynearson. In 1987, Starr opened a gift shop called P.S. Gifts. She had a keen eye for special gifts and knickknacks and her store became a landmark place for locals to shop. She ran the gift shop until she sold it to another owner in 1995. Starr was very creative and enjoyed finding ways to express her artistic talents. She was a talented seamstress and enjoyed sewing clothing and other pieces for her family. She was a gifted artist and painted beautiful landscapes. She spent many years making gorgeous silk flower arrangements and wreaths that were highly sough after in the community, especially at Shalimar United Methodist Church’s annual Holly Fair. Her and Charles were faithful members of Shalimar United Methodist Church and enjoyed singing in the chancel choir for many years as well as holding various leadership positions in the church. She thoroughly enjoyed finding and collecting antiques. She sold many of these antiques at booths in Destin, Florida and Dothan, Alabama even into recent years. Starr was a devoted wife, mother, sister, and friend. She was a classy lady who loved life and will be greatly missed by her family and many others.
Starr is preceded in death by her beloved husband of sixty-eight years and the love of her life, Charles Whitehead, Sr. She is survived by two siblings, Nellie Jean Grace of Dothan, AL and Tony Hughes (Beth) of Clanton, AL. She is also survived by four children, Chuck Whitehead, Jr., Patti Walker (Wayne), Mark Whitehead, and Shelley Rynearson; nine grandchildren, Starr Olivo (Rudy), Josh Walker (Ashley), Shelley Thiess (Jeremy), J.R. Rynearson (Shelby), Skyler Rasbeck (Bo), Storme Holton (Tyler), Jacob Rynearson, Jordan Serio (Matt), and Chase Whitehead; fifteen great grandchildren; and numerous nieces, nephews, and many friends.
Glover Funeral Home has been entrusted with the arrangements. (334) 699-3888. Please sign the guestbook online at www.gloverfuneral.com
