Services for Deretha Dean Starns, 86, of Happyland are 10:00 a.m. Friday, May 6, 2022 at the Criswell Funeral Home Chapel, Rev. Joe Nemecek will officiate. Burial will follow at Konawa Cemetery. The family will receive friends from 5:00 – 7:00 p.m. Thursday at Criswell Funeral Home.

Mrs. Starns passed away Tuesday, May 3, 2022 at her home. She was born June 19, 1935 at Fittstown, OK to Jess and Maggie Mae Cooper Miller. She graduated from Ada High School.

She married Billy E. Starns, Sr. May 16, 1958 in Coalgate. He preceded her in death March 9, 1996. Mrs. Starns was the Cafeteria Manager for Homer School until her retirement. She also worked as an Election Judge for the Pontotoc County Election Board for many years. Dean had been active with the Ada Campfires and the Chickasaw Senior Citizen Site and she was a member of the Order of Eastern Star.

Survivors include her sons, Gary Starns and his wife Susie of Happyland, Roger Lackey and significant other Martha of Fitzhugh, and Darrell Lackey and wife Kay of Sulphur; her eight grandchildren, Rogie Lackey, Sean Lackey and wife Jonnita, Christie Pittman and husband Gary, Chad Lackey, Cheyenne Starns and wife Brittney, Misty Stephens and husband Brandon, Courtney Smith and husband Cameron and Jayden Starns; 17 great-grandchildren; special niece, Jackie Williams; numerous nieces and nephews; and other relatives and friends.

She was preceded in death by her parents; her husband; a son, Billy E. Starns, Jr.; three brothers, R. G. Miller, Jimmy Miller and Lloyd Miller; and two sisters, Bessie "Tootsie" Smith and Barbara Faye Miller.

Bearers will be Cheyenne Starns, Ed Smith, Keith Miller, James Miller, Larry Smith, Frank Starns and Jayden Starns. Honorary bearers will be Gov. Bill Anoatubby, Lt. Gov. Chris Anoatubby, former Lt. Gov. Jefferson Keel, Mark Manuel, Rory Ward, Sean Lackey, Michael Miller, Justin Smith, Carl Dunn and Randy Golden.