Reverend Posey Lester Starkey

Dear Kelli and Cindi,
I’m truly sorry for you great loss. Not sure if you remember me, but your Dad had a big influence on my growth in music. When my family joined Second, it was big adjustment because we came from a small church. So joining his choir was a huge step and one I will never forget. He became an encourager and great teacher of new music for me. I will ever be grateful for that experience and including me in his voice pupils group. I so enjoyed the duets by your parents, not nearly often enough in my opinion. But in character of your Dad’s unselfishness, he wanted others to share their talent.
It was not long before Randy and Mark became good friends, along with Craig Acord. Their nickname became “the 3 musketeers.” My daughter was a little older so I’m not sure if you knew her. We had a good youth group and your Dad did a super job directing the musicals for them.
So many years have gone by, but my memories are forever in my heart.
Please know, dear Girls, that you are in my thoughts and prayers as you walk this long path of grief. Yes, we believe your Mom and Dad are together and rejoicing but our hearts are sad because of the broken earthly tie. And we also believe that one day we will be reunited. So …. “Until then, our hearts shall go on rejoicing, until then, we’ll carry on,” lyrics from an old gospel song. With my love, Wanda Conner Stewart

I met Reverend Posey at Carrabbas where I was a server. The first time I met him he was with his daughter and his new Iphone. He came back alone about a week later for lunch and needed some assistance with his phone and his facebook. We became friends, and he would come in occasionally for lunch, we shared a few good laughs and life stories. He was by far one of my favorites! He filled my day at work with joy. He will always be remembered for his smile, his words of kindness and encouragement and his sense of humor! He was so very proud of his daughters and talked of them so lovingly. I will definitely never forget him! I was blessed that he became my friend! May he enjoy his greatest reward in the hands of the Lord.

Posey Starkey was the minister of music at the Marietta First Baptist Church during many of my formative years and is one of my favorite teachers. He encouraged me and helped me musically and spiritually and also taught us many, many different styles and genres of worship music. Posey could lead and do it all, from classical oratorios to traditional hymns to southern gospel to spirituals. Some of my fondest memories during this time were preparing for musical programs and going on youth summer choir tours to Saranac Lake, New York (several times) and Pensacola, Florida (also several times) where we would sing at night and lead a backyard Bible club and survey the community in the day. Posey got the whole church involved with these trips as a church member could hire a youth to do yard work, etc. to raise funds for the trips. Posey always led everything with great enthusiasm and was so good working with people, encouraging them, and garnering their involvement with whatever he was leading. I remember several youth lock-ins he led with the youth choir to prepare for upcoming programs. Posey even cooked gourmet meals for everyone at these! He taught free singing lessons throughout the week to interested choir members. My mother was the pipe organist and music assistant at the church during this time, too, and remembered these as some of her most cherished times under Posey’s leadership as she served her Lord through music. Later, my grandmother joined the choir under Posey’s direction and thoroughly enjoyed those times, too. I am saddened at Posey’s passing, but rejoice that I have no doubt he is seeing Jesus face-to-face now. My wife, Dad, and I are praying for comfort for Cindy, Kelly, and the family.

With deepest sympathy and Love,Beth and Charlie Marder