Obituary of Lessie M. Starke

Mrs. Lessie Yon Starke, daughter of the late Arthur Yon and Bessie Porter Yon was born November 22, 1923 in Blountstown, Florida. She departed this life on Saturday, February 16, 2019 at the Aristicare Rehabilitation Center in Cherry Hill, New Jersey. At the age of ninety- five, she was the last surviving sibling, as her brothers Arthur Yon, Jr. and Archie Yon, as well as her sister Evialine Yon, all preceded her in death.

Lessie grew up in and attended public school in Greensboro, Florida. At an early age, Lessie accepted Christ as her personal Savior and joined the Pine Bloom Baptist Church, where she served faithfully. Lessie married Mr. Mabey Starke on February 5, 1943 of Blountstown, Florida and helped raise her two stepsons to adulthood. After her husband’s passing, Lessie migrated to Camden, New Jersey in 1963. Upon her arrival in New Jersey, Lessie lived with the Jakes family, who were friends from Florida and was  employed by the Zackon family as a home care worker for many years. This was a  special relationship, as Lessie watched the Zackon children, Richard, Fred and twins Jody and David grow up.

After leaving her employment with the Zackon family, Lessie worked and resided at Nancy’s Rest Home, located in Camden. Lessie became close friends with the owners, Nancy and, “Uncle Bill”. She lived and worked there for approximately forty years, even after Nancy and Bill Watkins passed and their granddaughter, Shawn Stewart, took over the establishment. Shawn often said that Lessie, who worked as a Home Care Worker, was considered the, “mother of the house”. When not working, Lessie spent her free time traveling by Greyhound bus to Greensboro, Florida, for extended visits with her sister, Evialine and brother, Arthur “Buddy” and their families. She would often go to Florida two or three times a year where she enjoyed fishing, attending church services and reconnecting with all her nieces, nephews and friends, whom she loved so much. Lessie also enjoyed her long visits with her, “baby brother” Archie, her sister in law and niece in Long Island, New York. Archie would pick Lessie up from Port Authority Bus Terminal in Manhattan and she would enjoy the car rides home where they talked about, “old times”. Lessie also got a kick out of her niece’s parakeet and stayed up late watching old movies with her sister in law, Dorothy. Lessie and Dorothy spoke almost every day, especially when Lessie was at Aristicare.

When Lessie moved to New Jersey, Lessie joined The Mt. Calvary Baptist Church located in Mullica Hills. She served dutifully until she moved her membership to The Mt. Calvary Baptist Church in 2000, located here in Camden. Lessie was very close to the Walker family and she attended services with Barbara Tatem and her family for many years. Barbara watched over Lessie until her death.

Lessie moved to Aristicare in March of 2015. Lessie enjoyed her life there and loved being called, “Grandmama” by her, “many adopted children and grandchildren”. She was loved and pampered by staff and was very happy there. Aristicare was her home for almost four years until she passed on February 16, 2019.

Left to cherish her memory are:

Arthur Yon (brother- deceased)

Niece: Sandra Yon of Quincy, Florida

Great Nieces and Great Nephews: Reshaunna Austin, Jemarious Higdon and Tanaysia Higdon

Niece: Ada Mae Yon Jones of Quincy, Florida

Great Nieces and Great Nephews: Tobetha Jones Brown, Shalandria Jones and Hasan Jones

Nephew: Charleston Yon of Quincy, Florida

Great Nieces and Great Nephews: Evette Denise Yon, Charleston Yon, Jr. and Katesha Yon

Nephew: Johnny Yon (Helen) of Greensboro, Florida

Great Nieces and Great Nephews: Johnnie Mae Yon Jacobs, Suvonia Yon, Mary Yon Bush, Tamekia Yon and Jonathan Yon

Nephew: Dennis Yon of Greensboro, Florida

Great Nieces and Great Nephews: Erica Yon Bostic, K-Dentris Yon, DeQuan Yon,

Dentarrius Yon, Quintarrius Yon

Niece: Shaunta Yon Smiley (Duane) of Quincy, Florida

Great Nieces and Great Nephews: Shakara Caldwell and Nicholas Caldwell

Niece: Toreno Yon Miller (Marvin) of Mt. Pleasant, Florida

Great Niece: Keyana Miller

Archie Yon (brother- deceased)

Sister in Law: Dorothy Yon of Long Island, NY

Niece: Wendy Yon- Innis (Delroy) of Long Island New York

Great Niece and Great Nephew: Tamara Innis and Corey Innis

Evialine Yon Scott (sister- deceased)

Niece: Aleain Scott (deceased)

Great Nieces and Great Nephews: Dexter Bouie (Veronica) of Quincy, Florida, Lester Bouie of Tallahassee, Florida, Tonya Scott Williams (Rick) of Montgomery Alabama,

Tawanda Scott of Midway, Florida and Lawanda Scott Matthews (Howard) of Quincy Florida

and her beloved Goddaughter: Jody Johnston of Canada, as well as thirty- eight great great nieces and nephews, four great great great nieces and nephews and a host of cousins,    relatives and friends. Lessie will always be remembered for her delicious, “corn fritters”, long beautiful hair and her sharp sense of humor. Sleep well, Aunt Lessie. We love you.