Murray J. Starling, Sr.

Mr. Murray Joe Starling, Sr., the king of “Let Me Enlighten You”, left this world on Thursday, August 12, 2021, at the age of 67. He was born on June 11, 1954 in South Bend, IN to the union of Roosevelt and Bessie (Mounds) Starling. They preceded him in death.

Murray attended South Bend Riley High School, where he played football, basketball and ran track. He graduated from Riley in 1972. He was employed at the former South Bend Stamping Division of Allied Products for 28 years, as well as Kimble’s Plumbing.

On July 15, 1995, in South Bend, he was united in holy matrimony to Bettie Woods, who survives.

Murray was a well-dressed man affectionately known as “Mr. Fashion” who drove pretty cars. He and his two brothers were called the Three Musketeers to earn their respect on the Eastside of South Bend.

Murray is survived by his wife, Bettie C. Woods-Starling; three sons: Murray Joe Starling, Jr. of Elkhart, IN, Michael Woods of Savannah, GA and Kenneth Woods-Adams of Chicago, IL; three granddaughters; three grandsons; three sisters: Martha Bowles (sister/mama), Evangelist Ernestine Jones and Florence Starling, all of South Bend; three brothers: Roosevelt (Candace) Starling of Aberdeen, CA, William “Billy” Starling of Michigan City, IN and Lee Starling of Canton, MS; four brothers-in-law: Clifton Woods, Jr. of South Bend, William (Vicky) Woods of Chicago, IL, Percy (Alisha) Woods of Las Vegas, NV and Sam (Betty) Woods of Stubenville, OH; two sisters-in-law, Bobbie Woods of South Bend and Ruthie (O.C.) Caston of Chicago, IL; adopted parents Ron and Mary Wilson; best friend Winard Anderson, Jr. of South Bend; two special cousins, Sandra Gail Howard and Pamela Jackson; three special nieces: Quila Pettus, Myra McEwen and Carrie Burks; special nephew Tyrone Starling; and special cousin, Timothy Reynold. All of  Murray’s nephews are special to him and he loved his nieces and cousins, along with a host of other family and friends.

Along with his parents, Murray was preceded in death by two sisters, Priscilla Starling and Lillie Keeys; and one son, Ernesto Starling.

He considered himself a man of knowledge and was quick to enlighten you on many things. His memory will live on in the hearts of those who loved and knew him. Murray liked the scripture “The Lord is my light and my Salvation; whom shall I fear?” Psalm 27-1

Services for Mr. Murray J. Starling will be held on Friday, August 20, 2021 at 12:00 PM at Macedonia Missionary Baptist Church, 1862 N. Olive Street, South Bend, IN 46628. Pastor Anthony Pettus will officiate. Friends may call on the family for one hour prior to services at the church. Burial to follow at Highland Cemetery. Online expressions of sympathy may be left at www.palmerfuneralhomes.com. 

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