Beverly Rose Starkey
1937-2018
Beverly Rose (Greer) Starkey was born Jan 8, 1937 in Pratt Kansas to Frank C. and Clee H. Greer. She died April 26, 2018, at her Ketch Acres home in Edmond, Oklahoma.
Growing up in Western Kansas, Beverly was very active in 4H, loved riding horses, barrel racing and watching rodeos. After graduating from Pratt High School, Beverly attended Pratt Junior College. There she met a charming farm boy from Wellsford, Kansas. Nevin Starkey and Beverly were married June 9, 1957.
After two years of Army life, the Starkeys attended Fort Hayes College, where Beverly graduated with a degree in home economics. She worked as an Extension Agent while Nevin finished his Masters’ Degree in Science and Education at the University of Michigan, School of Public Health.
They moved to Oklahoma (in 1963) so Nevin could work for the State of Oklahoma. Beverly restarted her career working at the OU Medical Center. This connection transformed Beverly into a lifelong OU Fan. For the rest of her life, she and Nevin had season tickets for both football and basketball, BIG 12 Tournaments and Bowl games.
After Beverly retired with 25 years of service at the OU Medical Center, the Starkey’s join Edmond Kiwanis Club, at the suggestion of their close friend Eli Mize. Beverly worked with the Edmond High School Key Clubs and became a most successful Kiwanis Key Club advisor. From 2004- 2015, she was a Regional Key Club Advisor for the Texas – Oklahoma District Key Clubs. She was also a member of the Board of Trustees for the TX-OK Kiwanis Foundation, responsible for Key Club college scholarships.
Like they did their entire 53 years of marriage, Beverly and Nevin were a great Kiwanis Team. Among many awards they received was the Kiwanis International Hixon Award presented to the Starkey’s shortly before Nevin’s death in April 2011.
After Nevin’s passing, Beverly overcame cancer and continued her commitment to Kiwanis and Key Clubs. When she was sidetracked by a stroke in 2015, her nephew Andy stepped up and cared for her in his home. Beverly recovered and eventually returned home. When the cancer returned last month, her niece Sharry stayed with Beverly at the Edmond home during her final days. Andy and Sharry made many trips back and forth. Their support was very important to Beverly.
The Starkeys were active members of the First United Methodist Church in Edmond, Beverly sang in the choir and she had a strong faith that she carried throughout her life.
Beverly was preceded in death by her parents (Frank & Clee Greer) and her husband Nevin. She is survived by her nephew Andy Bogner and wife Donna and niece Sharry Turner and her Kiwanis Family. There are Kiwanis members, past and present, who did much to support Beverly and we know that Beverly was very grateful.
Funeral Services will be at 2:00 pm Wednesday, May 2nd at the First United Methodist Church at 305 E. Hurd in Edmond. Prior to the Funeral, Edmond Kiwanis will hold a memorial during their regular Wednesday noon meeting in the Cherokee Room at the UCO Nigh Student Center. Viewing will be from 2:00 to 8:00 pm on Tuesday, May 1st at Matthews Funeral Home at 601 S. Kelly in Edmond. Burial will be Thursday In Wellsford, Kansas.
In lieu of flowers, you may wish to donate to the Oklahoma City Community Foundation, Inc. FBO: Nevin & Beverly Starkey Edmond Kiwanis Club Scholarship, PO Box 1146, OKC OK 73101
I will miss Beverly’s sand plum jelly that I enjoyed for many years. As always a kind and thoughtful person. She and Nevin were a great team and good friends.