Stephen Rhon Starks Obituary

STEPHEN RHON STARKS, 70, of Charleston, West Virginia, passed away on Saturday, February 10, 2024, of a heart attack after suffering for several years from a variety of medical issues.

Stephen was born on April 20, 1953, in Charleston, West Virginia, to the late Benjamin and Nancy Starks. Stephen graduated from South Charleston High School. He earned a Bachelor's Degree in Political Science and a Master's Degree in Public Administration from West Virginia State University. He was a member of First Advent Christian Church.

After working for the Kanawha County Assessor's Office, the West Virginia Department of Highways and the Dupont Chemical Plant as a production supervisor, Stephen in 1983 became Publisher and Editor of the West Virginia Beacon Digest. He expanded the newspaper to a statewide circulation and increased the frequency to a weekly publication. Under his leadership the West Virginia Beacon Digest received the Region 3 U.S. Small Business Administration Minority Business of the Year award two consecutive years. The WV Beacon was privileged and honored to establish a partnership with the State NAACP where Stephen served as President of the Charleston Branch for several years.

He was the originator of the Multi-Cultural Festival of West Virginia (MULTIFEST). This 3-day event was held on the State Capitol grounds to celebrate the diversity of our state – especially the African American community. Under the leadership of Steve and his wife, Debbie, MULTIFEST became an event of pride and enthusiasm for the Black community. They led and expanded MULTIFEST for 23 years until 2013. This cultural event has the distinction of being enshrined into the U.S. Library of Congress under the National "Living Legacies Project" and is included in all eighth grade history textbooks in the state.

Stephen was instrumental in originating, coordinating and leading outreach into the black community as Chairman of the West Virginia Governing Board of the Health Sciences and Technology Academy (HSTA), a partnership between WVU, the community and several other colleges and universities across the state. This program targets minority and other at risk middle school students and provides them with free tuition to any college or university in West Virginia. Thousands of students have successfully completed the program and graduated from college. He served as community coordinator and chairman of the Kanawha and statewide boards for over fourteen years.

Stephen Starks spent his life volunteering and working to improve his community! In recognition of his achievements, he was awarded the Distinguished West Virginian Award by Governor Joe Manchin in 2009. As stated by Matthew Watts, Pastor and Community Leader, "Steve Starks was one of the most courageous people I have ever known. Like his Father and Mother, a true social justice warrior that we never fully appreciated. Steve loved and served his people and never was shown the appreciation that his sacrifice deserved.". In addition to his father, Benjamin Starks and mother, Nancy Starks, he was preceded in death by his brother, Ben Starks; sister, Laura Starks; and his nephew, Joe Richard Paul.

Stephen is survived by his wife of 45 years, Debbie Starks; daughters, Michelle and Monica Starks; granddaughter, Brooklyn Starks, all of Charleston; his twin sister, Stephanie Paul of North Carolina; step mother-in-law, Gail White of Charleston; sisters-in-law, Kathy Drexel of Kentucky, and Donna Moles of Charleston; cousin, Ross Franklin of Detroit; and 18 nieces and nephews.

A funeral service will be 1 p.m., Saturday, February 17, 2024, at Grace Bible Church, 600 Kanawha Boulevard West, Charleston, WV, with Reverend Matthew Watts officiating.

The family will receive friends one hour before the service.

Arrangements are in the care of Keller Funeral Home, Dunbar.