Arvol "Chig" Starling

Arvol “Chig” Starling and wife, Merle Walker Starling of Dothan went home to be with the Lord Wednesday, September, 14th at their home in Dothan.  She was 84 and he was 85.

Funeral services will be held Saturday, September, 17th, at 2:00 in the afternoon at Sunset Memorial Park with their son, Rev. Danny Starling officiating. The family will receive friends prior to the service from 12:00 to 2:00. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to The American Diabetes Association at  1701 North Beauregard Street, Alexandria, VA, 22311, or The Wiregrass Children’s Home at PO Box 6813, Dothan, AL, 36302.

Mr. and Mrs. Starling were married for 67 years and were lifelong residents of Dothan. Mr. Starling was a self-employed farmer his entire life; he never stopped doing what he loved. Mrs. Starling was a homemaker, but her favorite role was being a mother, grandma, mema, and nana. They both wholeheartedly loved their Savior, their family, and their farm. They were active members of Beulah Baptist Church for 23 years.

Survivors include their three children, Danny Connie Starling, Pam Larry Forrester, and Jan Brent Murray, all of Dothan; seven grandchildren, Scotty Starling, Shawn Starling, Lance Veronica Forrester, Chanda Carey Collins, Tamara Jeremy Armstrong, Elizabeth Tyler Grant, and Andrew Murray; and eleven great-grandchildren.

Mrs. Starling was preceded in death by her parents, Ida Bell and Isaac Walker and brother, George Walker, and sisters, Ruby Sikes, Bernice Phillips, and Lois Gray. Mr. Starling was preceded in death by his parents, William and Osie Starling, brothers, Archie Starling, Royce Starling, and sister, Doris Hart.

Mr. Starling is survived by brothers Billy Starling, Eufaula, Homer Starling, Dothan, and sisters, Irma Ready, Cowarts, and Gladys Brown, Headland.