With deepest sorrow we at Henryhand Funeral Home regret to announce the passing of Vernell M. Starks, 85, of Greeleyville, SC,  widow of Leon Starks, who passed away on Monday, June 8, 2026.

A Life Well Lived

Mrs. Vernell Mazyck Starks

"I expect to pass through this world but once;

therefore, any good that I can do or any kindness that I can show anyone,

let me do it now, for I shall not pass this way again".

Early Monday morning, while the dew was fresh on the roses, God looked among His flowers and picked a rose. Vernell Mazyck Starks transitioned from this life on June 8, 2026.

Vernell affectionately called "Lee" began her journey on April 18, 1941. She was the eldest of seven children born to the late Deacon Arthur Elliott Mazyck and Beatrice Starling Mazyck. At an early age she accepted Christ and became a member of Holy Rock Baptist Church, St. Stephen, South Carolina.

Vernell was educated in the public school system of Berkley County, a proud graduate of Russellville High School, formerly St. Stephen High, now Timberland High School.

Upon graduation, she entered the working world in Newark, New Jersey as a factory piece worker. Realizing that her only chance to climb upward would be through education, she left New Jersey and entered Allen University in Columbia, South Carolina. She graduated with a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Social Studies. She continued her educational studies at Atlanta University, Atlanta, Ga, Clemson University, Clemson, South Carolina, earning her a Master's Degree in Education. Mrs. Starks believed that education is a never-ending process, starting at birth and ending at death. Therefore, she continued to upgrade herself by studying at the University of South Carolina, Columbia, Winthrop University, Rock Hill, and The Citadel, Charleston- all in South Carolina.

Vernell lived and worked in the Piedmont section of South Carolina for over twenty years. She was a member of Royal Baptist Church where she sung on the Messiah Mass Choir and taught Sunday School.  While residing in the Piedmont, her professional career included teaching at Starr-Iva Middle School and New Deal High School in Anderson County School District #3.

Vernell was formerly married to Mr. Robert Matthews of Greenwood, South Carolina. To this union they were blessed with two children, Melony and Michael Matthews.  She later relocated from Anderson, SC to Greeleyville, South Carolina in 1982 where she met and married Mr. Leon Starks. Vernell initially attended/joined Promised Land Baptist Church and later Vernell and Leon moved their membership to Trinity Baptist Church in Greeleyville.

There have been many educational highs in her life. One came in 1994 when she was invited by the Friendship Force of Atlanta, Georgia to participate in an Educational Cultural Observation as a Goodwill Ambassador to Moscow, Russia.  Upon her return from Moscow, she also hosted Russia Educators in her home in Greeleyville, South Carolina.

Vernell was employed as an Adjunct Professor of History for South Carolina State University, Orangeburg, South Carolina and Limestone College Gaffney, South Carolina. She served as chairperson for the Williamsburg County Healthy Start Coalition, Board Member for the Black River Health Care Consortium and Pee Dee Healthy Start Inc. She was a retired educator from Williamsburg County School where she held several positions. Social Studies Coordinator, Reproduction Risk Reduction Program and Comprehensive Health Coordinator, Drug Free School and Community Coordinator and Teen Life Center Manager.

Upon the death of her husband, Leon Starks in 2009, Vernell left Trinity Baptist Church and joined Union Baptist Church in Salters, South Carolina. She was a faithful member of the Gospel Choir, Vice President of the Missionary, Sunday School & VBS Teacher, and a member of the Women's Ministry. In later years a decline in health prohibited regular attendance, but never lessened her commitment as a servant of God.

Vernell's affiliations: Greek Sorority-Delta Tau Zeta Chapter of Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Inc., Grand Associate Deputy, Cluster 6, District 11, Order of Eastern Star Prince Hall Rite of Adoption for the State of South Carolina, Worthy Matron of Friendly Sister Chapter #380 Order of Eastern Star District 11 and Williamsburg County Education Association of Retired Teachers (WCEA-R).

In addition to her parents, Vernell was preceded in death by: her only daughter, Melony Kerry Matthews; her brother, Frank Arthur Mazyck; one sister, Roberta Mazyck; and her husband, Leon Starks.

Those left to cherish her memory: a devoted son, Michael Montgomery Matthews of Lithonia, GA; two grandsons, Michael and Morgan Matthews both of Ellenwood, GA; two devoted sisters, Artless McNeil of Florence, SC and Collette (Marvin) July of Greeleyville, SC; two loving brothers, Douglas (Roberta) Mazyck of Gray Court, SC and Elliott Mazyck of Columbia, SC; one cherished sister-in-law, Mable Mazyck of Salters, SC; a special daughter-in-law, Cynthia Matthews of Ellenwood, GA; one brother-in-law, Allen D. (Ophelia) Starks of Kingstree, SC; along with a host of nieces, nephews, cousins; special friend, Rev. Charles Smith, other relatives and friends.

Vernell's philosophy of life was, "If I can help somebody, as I pass this way, then my living would not be in vain".

The family would like to express their heartfelt gratitude and appreciation to the devoted care givers: Lurline Washington, Ester Matthews, Belinda Kennedy, Brenda Burgess, Jessalen Williams and her loving cousins, Zacharette Frierson, Margota Hankinson, Zaterria Thames, and the staff of Kingstree Nursing Facility.

The family is receiving friends and family at 1472 McMillan Rd, Greeleyville, SC.

All arrangements and professional services have been entrusted to Henryhand Funeral Home of Kingstree, SC. 843-354-2292 .