Rose "Rosie" Ellen Starling, 85, passed away peacefully, after an extended illness,  Tuesday, February 4, 2025 in Martinsburg, WV.

Born March 7, 1939 in Vincent, OH, she was the daughter of the late William Henry "Pappy" Yocum and Opal Mae Roberts Yocum. The family moved from Ohio to Parkersburg, WV when she was young and settled on Clement Avenue.

Rosie was a graduate of Parkersburg High School, Class of 1957 and attended Mt. State College.  Rosie wanted to go to school to become a French teacher but instead married Herman Earl Starling in 1960 and raised a family. She began working at Gihon Elementary as a Kindergarten Aide in the 70's and continued to work in that capacity until her retirement from Wood County Schools.

Rosie and her husband enjoyed traveling but when he died in 2009, she moved to Charles Town, WV to be closer to her younger daughter. Rosie was an avid reader and enjoyed doing puzzle books. She enjoyed singing and crocheting and was known for her hand made aghan blankets. She also made prayer shawls with the ladies of the church. Spending time with family was the most important part of her life and she enjoyed getting to know her grandsons and great grandchildren.

She is survived by her daughters, Mary Ellen McKibben (Mike) of Lady Lake, FL, and Patricia Graham (Greg) of Charles Town, WV, grandsons, Timothy McKibben of Lady Lake, FL, Jacob Graham of Charles Town, WV and Trenton McKibben (Felicia) and great-grandchildren, Addison and Treston of Kingsland, GA.

In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband, Herman Earl Starling, sisters, JoAnn McDowell and Emma Vincent of Parkersburg, and brothers, Ronald, Donald and William Yocum of Parkersburg.

Services will be held at 11:00 am on Saturday, February 8, 2025 at Charles Town Baptist Church, 222 S. Mildred St, Charles Town with a visitation to be held one hour prior to the service.

A secondary visitation will be held on Monday, February 10, 2025 - 11:00 A.M. at Leavitt Funeral Home, 403 Seventh Street, Parkersburg, WV 26101. A Graveside service at 2:00 P.M. will immediately follow at Riverview Cemetery, Williamstown, WV.