Obituary for Mattie Jean Starks
Mattie Jean Starks departed this life on Sunday, June 12, 2022. Jean, as she was fondly known, an only child, was born to the late Mary and James Starks on August 13, 1938, in Birmingham, Alabama.
She was educated in the Fairfield Alabama Public School System and graduated from Fairfield High School. After attending Clark College in Atlanta, Georgia she graduated in May 1960.
Mattie moved to the Washington, DC area in 1960 to be closer to her aunt and uncle, Velma Dotson and Theodore Ellis, both now deceased. She became a faithful member of Hughes Memorial Methodist Church where her aunt Velma was also a member.
Mattie started her professional career at Junior Village, a “temporary” shelter for impoverished children which housed children from 6 months to 18 years old. After Junior Village Mattie worked for The District of Columbia Department of Social Services. She retired in 1995 after a total of 33 years of service. To keep busy after retirement she worked for the Lovely Lady Boutique. She was a fashion plate, so this fit her personality perfectly. Mattie was a loving and giving person and will be greatly missed.
Mattie will be mourned by one child – Paula Washington, one grandchild – Jasmine Washington; cousins - Revilee Young of Bowie, Maryland, Lillie Ellis of Birmingham, Alabama, Wayne Dotson of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, and Geraldine Harris and Jacqueline Caples of Chicago, Illinois; plus, a host of other family members and friends.
She was educated in the Fairfield Alabama Public School System and graduated from Fairfield High School. After attending Clark College in Atlanta, Georgia she graduated in May 1960.
Mattie moved to the Washington, DC area in 1960 to be closer to her aunt and uncle, Velma Dotson and Theodore Ellis, both now deceased. She became a faithful member of Hughes Memorial Methodist Church where her aunt Velma was also a member.
Mattie started her professional career at Junior Village, a “temporary” shelter for impoverished children which housed children from 6 months to 18 years old. After Junior Village Mattie worked for The District of Columbia Department of Social Services. She retired in 1995 after a total of 33 years of service. To keep busy after retirement she worked for the Lovely Lady Boutique. She was a fashion plate, so this fit her personality perfectly. Mattie was a loving and giving person and will be greatly missed.
Mattie will be mourned by one child – Paula Washington, one grandchild – Jasmine Washington; cousins - Revilee Young of Bowie, Maryland, Lillie Ellis of Birmingham, Alabama, Wayne Dotson of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, and Geraldine Harris and Jacqueline Caples of Chicago, Illinois; plus, a host of other family members and friends.