G. Dean Starritt

Dean was born August 18, 1927 to John Charles Smith and Vera Josephine Gilbert in Strawn, Texas. She was raised and educated primarily in Palo Pinto County, Texas. She had a lifetime of service to Southwestern Bell Telephone Co. She was a proud member of the AFL-CIO union in CWA (Communications Workers of America) and the Telephone Pioneers.

Dean married LB “Lewis” Starritt in 1944 and they remained married until his death in March of 1997.

She is preceded in death by her sons, Charles A. “Pete” Starritt and Marion Lynn Starritt; her sister, Johnnie Marie Smith-Bell; her brothers, Jimmy Gilbert, KG Smith and RC Smith; and her granddaughter, Shelly Moton.

She is survived by her sons, Billy Lewis Starritt and wife Anita of Azle, TX; and Randal “Scooter” Starritt and wife, Belinda of Midland, TX; her daughter, Debi Crouchman and husband, Ken of Van Alstyne, TX.

She is survived by her grandchildren: Rita Shafer, Lisa Truett, Zach Starritt, Cari Starritt-Burnett, Christi Starritt-Walker, Candi Shanks, Cindi Starritt Mughelli, Tia Heady, Jeff Starritt, Vannessa Hurst and John David Hurst. She is also survived by 23 great grandchildren and many nieces, nephews and others that she would claim as her own.

Visitation will be on Friday, August 3, 2012 from 6:00p.m. to 8:00p.m. at Ellis Funeral Home. Funeral services are planned for 11:00a.m. on Saturday, August 4, 2012 at the Ellis Funeral Home Chapel. Interment will follow at Resthaven Memorial Park. Arrangements are under the direction of Ellis Funeral Home. Condolences may be offered at www.ellisfunerals.com.

Dean would want to be known as a loving, doting, active grandparent and great grandparent—it is how she lived her life. She was active politically in her union and as a life-long Democrat. She was known for taking care of others above herself for as long as her body allowed. She had a complete fondness for her family, friends, and fellow retirees at the telephone company. She never hid her feelings for those she loved.