Willa Mae (Winters) Starks-Mccray

Willa Starks McCray, longtime Columbus resident and entrepreneur, passed away Sunday, April 24, 2016 at her daughter's residence. Born in Malvern, Arkansas, Willa grew up in a loving, Christian home and accepted the Lord at an early age. She was a small-town girl who migrated to the city of Columbus, Ohio with only her strong faith in God, a loving heart, and big dreams. She became a licensed cosmetologist and eventually opened her own salon, Willa’s World of Beauty. She was a longtime member of Trinity Baptist Church along with several professional and civic organizations, including the The Culturettes Chapter 10 of the Ohio Association of Beauticians, Alpha Chi Pi Omega Sorority and Fraternity, Inc., Rose of Sharon Chapter No. 56 of the Order of the Eastern Star, and The Cupidettes Club, Inc. Among her many recognitions, Willa was named as an Honorary Member of the Ohio State Board of Cosmetology. She was also a passionate cook, who enjoyed entertaining and preparing delicious meals for her family and friends. A lady of beauty, class, and graciousness, Willa lived by the principles, “Do unto others, as you would have them do unto you,” and “It’s nice to be important, but it’s more important to be nice.” Willa was preceded in death by her husbands, Albert Starks, Sr. and Mack McCray, son Albert Starks, Jr., parents Willie and Webber Winters, sisters, Edessa Greene and Florida Gulley, and grandchildren, Derrick Pullien and Natalie Renee Brown. She is survived by daughters, Brenda Starks (Robert) Pullien and Regina “Tina” Starks (Allen) Rouse; “Earth-daughters” Dr. Frances James (Eugene) Brown and Queen Reese; 20 grandchildren, 32 great grandchildren, four great-great grandchildren, and a host of nieces, nephews, other relatives and dear friends, including Leona Wade, Jettie Crump, and Emogene Berry.