Obituaries

Isabelle “Freda” Starling Preston was born to James and Edna Starling on April 17, 1939, in Maybeury, West Virginia. The Lord called her to eternal rest on October 2, 2023, at her residence.

She was preceded in death by her husband Obediah Preston, mother and father, two brothers, James R. Starling and Harry F. Starling; and one sister, Loretta Starling Penn.

On March 7, 1959, she married her sweetheart “Obbie” as she affectionally called him. Before his passing, they shared 57 years together. Even though they never had children as a couple, they did have the pleasure of helping to raise two of their nieces in their home; Priscilla and Veronica.

Freda accepted the Lord Jesus and was baptized in the name Jesus by the late Bishop C.W. Hairston at an early age. She was a member of the Shiloh Way of the Cross and received the gift of the Holy Ghost under the leadership of the late Bishop H.C. Eggleston.

She retired from Stanley Furniture Company after a number of years of service.

Freda loved jewelry and snacks. She never liked too much attention and did not like taking pictures. She loved her niece, Priscilla, like a daughter whose care for her was devoted and unceasing throughout her sickness. She also had a very devoted and wonderful caretaker, Ms. Sandra Brim, who took her job far above and beyond her duties.

Those left to cherish her memory include her niece/daughter, Priscilla (Standley) Hairston of Martinsville; two sisters, Ms. Rosa “Boo” Miller of Columbus, OH, and Reverend Betty Jean Hairston of Charlotte, NC; bonus daughter, Ms. Yonnie Preston of Fort Wayne, IN; special cousin, Ms. Mae Frances “Pete” Mapp of Columbus, OH; and a host of in-laws, nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends.

The funeral will be Friday, October 6, 2023, at 11:30 AM at Wright Funeral Service Chapel, with a limited visitation prior to service. Burial will follow at Carver Memorial Gardens.

Wright Funeral Service & Crematory is serving the family.