Charles Edward Starling

Salemburg

Mr. Charles Edward Starling, 93, of Salemburg, went to be with the Lord on Monday, November 10, 2025 at his home surrounded by his family.

A funeral service will be held at 11:00 AM on Friday, November 14, 2025 at Freedom Baptist Church with Reverend Adam Capps officiating. The burial will follow at Freedom Baptist Church Cemetery with Military Honors.

The family will receive friends from 6:00 – 8:00 PM on Thursday, November 13, 2025 at Freedom Baptist Church.

Mr. Starling was a native of Cumberland County, the son of Edward “Skeet” Leayton Starling and Mattie Byrd Starling. He was preceded in death by his parents; his wife, Bess Tyndall Starling; a sister, Judy Wodzenski; and a brother, Graham Starling.

Charles served in both the United States Navy and the United States Army, during which he was a combat veteran of the Korean War. Upon his honorable discharge from military service, Charles returned home and worked for 32 years with the North Carolina Natural Gas company, where he retired. He was well known to the local community as "the gas man," and often took time to help friends and neighbors with natural and LP gas-related problems whether they were company customers or not. Over the last several years, Charles was often doing the things he enjoyed, such as reading his Bible, completing a word puzzle, playing Tetris, or watching Westerns on TV. But most of all, Charles was an intensely funny and caring man who not only served his country honorably, but also served as an amazing Husband, Dad, and "Pa" to our family. We were blessed to have him in our lives, and will miss him dearly.

He is survived by two daughters, Donna Fleming and husband Don, and Vickie Spell and Husband Don; a son, Dan Worley and wife Vicki; five grandchildren, five great-grandchildren; two sisters, Louise Frazier and husband Rhodes, and Doris Batson and husband Ernest; and several nieces and nephews.

In lieu of flowers, donation may be made in memory of Charles the Freedom Baptist Church Memorial Fund, 2099 Tyndall Bride Road, Salemburg.

Services entrusted to Butler Funeral Home, 401 W. Roseboro Street, Roseboro, NC 28382.