Mrs. Rennie V. Starling of Leesburg, Florida, entered heaven with Jesus on Sunday, April 23, 2023. She was born in Mayo, Florida on September 29, 1927, to Ben and Jessie Lou Ezell.
She is preceded in death by her parents, Ben and Jessie Ezell; her loving husband of 58 years, Dr. George A. Starling; sisters, Essie Webb, Emma Eason, Audrey King, Lessie Loveland, and brother Lloyd Ezell. Rennie leaves behind, daughter, Susan Harris (Willie), Orlando, FL; daughter-in-law, Adela Starling of Naples, Florida; granddaughters, Monique Starling of Las Vegas, Nevada JeffeLee McClain (Keith) of West Orange, NJ, and Candice Hardy of Georgia; great grandchildren, Angelique Duzant of Las Vegas, Nevada, Amelie McClain of West Orange, NJ, De’vion Harris of Orlando, FL, Demetrius Hardy, Raven Hardy, and Kennedy Hardy of Georgia; sister, Nelda Hutcheson of Mayo, Florida. She also leaves behind her precious nieces, nephews, cousins, many extended family members, and special friends who have felt the impact of her life.
Musically inclined, Rennie played the piano and organ. She and her husband, George, married in 1944. Early in their marriage, they traveled as missionaries to St. John, US Virgin Islands and despite difficult trials and situations – of which many were unknown to most – they created a beautiful life blessed by God. Together with her husband, Rennie spent 25 years as missionaries in the U.S. Virgin Islands. They established the St. John Cruz Bay and Calvary Baptist Churches, Fair Haven’s Summer Camp, The Boys Home, and a Bible school to train nationals of many countries to become pastors and teachers in the West Indies. Her greatest achievement during her time in the Virgin Islands was becoming a mother to her three children, David, Phillip, and Susan. She poured into them and loved them with a matchless love that is leaving a beautiful legacy for generations to come.
Over the years, Rennie dutifully fulfilled her calling as pastor’s wife at St. John Cruz Bay and Calvary Baptist Churches, Leesburg Main Street Baptist Church, and Winter Haven South Side Baptist Church. Rennie was a spiritual warrior and woman of faith who set an example for anyone who knew her. Later in her retirement from the ministry, Rennie worked in real estate and was extremely successful as property manager of Mirror Lake Manor in Leesburg, Florida.
Rennie was also known for her love of flowers and gardening, gift of hospitality, giving, spiritual discernment, and discipline. She gave freely to others and wanted those she cared about to have what they needed. God gave her the ability to spiritually discern situations and people; those close to her know that if she offered advice, it was a privilege to hear her insight and know that it was in their best interest to listen.
We are grieving, but not like those who have no hope. We absolutely know and believe she is in the presence of Jesus and her loved ones, and we will see her again.
Funeral Services will be held at 11:00 am on Tuesday, May 2, 2023 at Beyers Funeral Home, 101 S. 11th Street., Suite 4, Leesburg, Florida. Interment will follow at Florida National Cemetery in Bushnell, Florida. Visitation will immediately precede the Funeral Services from 10:00 am – 11:00 am. at Beyers Funeral Home.
