Keyser, WV - Phyllis Ann (Kerns) Starkey, 83, of Keyser, W.Va., died Monday, June 9, 2025.

Born on June 29, 1941, she was the eldest of five children born to the late Lucian Lee and Lena (Oden) Kerns of Winchester, Va.. Phyllis was also preceded in death by her husband, Randall James Starkey on June 10, 2010; siblings, Linda Ryman, Mary Snyder and Donald Kerns; and brothers-in-law, Robert Starkey and Alton Ryman.

Surviving is her son, Jeffery Sowers and wife Dawn of Fredericksburg, Va.; her daughter, Stacey JoAnn Cosner of Keyser; three grandchildren, Kelsey Manuel and husband Chris, Rachel Stottlar and husband KC and Jacob Cosner; and six great grandchildren. Also surviving are her sisters-in-law, Carol Kerns of Stephens City, Va., and Lynda Starkey of Kernersville, N.C.; 11 nieces and nephews and 10 grand nieces and nephews. She also was an Auntie to Sandie (Starkey) Grantham, and survived by many other extended family and friends.

Phyllis was a proud 1960 graduate of James Wood High School in Winchester and she continued a life long friendship with classmates, Jeanne Wilt and her sister, Joy LaFollette. Phyllis was employed as an executive secretary/director with the Hampshire County Board of Education for over 30 years. Some of her favorite things were going to the Apple Blossom Festival, yard sales, decorating her home, organizing everything, meeting with friends and taking Jacob on fun trips.

She would want us to remember not how she passed on, but the love she gave all her life. She will be deeply missed and forever cherished by her family and countless others whose lives she touched.

Friends will be received at the Smith Funeral Home, Keyser Chapel, on Friday, June 13, 2025 from 6 to 8 p.m.

A funeral service will be conducted at the Smith Funeral Home, Keyser Chapel, on Saturday, June 14, 2025 at 11 a.m. with Pastor Charlie Hinkle and Pastor Glenn Welsh officiating.

Interment will be in the Biser Cemetery, Knobley Road, Keyser.

She wrote to us "in lieu of flowers or donations, it is my wish that you hug your loved ones a little tighter, tell them that you love them often, make memories together that become treasures, and extend a kindness to someone in need."

Condolences may be left at smithfuneralhomes.net.