Carol Starrett Obituary

Carol Ann Starrett (née Roberts), 71, of Greer, South Carolina, passed away peacefully on July 9, 2025. Born on Christmas Day in 1953 in Bartlesville, Oklahoma, Carol brought light, strength, and candor to everyone who knew her.

She was a devoted wife, a fiercely loving mother to two sons, and a cherished daughter and sister.

Carol was married to her loving and devoted husband David Bryan Starrett, Sr., for nearly 50 years. They both grew up in Bartlesville, Oklahoma, and attended Oklahoma State University, where David served as president of the Gamma Chi chapter of the Pi Kappa Alpha fraternity and Carol, in 1974, was honored to be named the organization’s “Dream Girl.” David agreed with that title and has each day since.

Carol began her career as an elementary school teacher and, though she stopped teaching to raise her sons, remained a teacher at heart for the rest of her life. She lived a life of deep commitment to her family and her community. She was an avid reader, particularly of biographies, and her leadership and energy touched many through her years as PTA president, Little League volunteer, swim team supporter, and HOA chairperson in the Silverleaf subdivision. If there was a way to make her neighborhood or her children’s lives better, Carol was at the heart of it—organizing, advocating, and always showing up.

She showed her children by example what it meant to be a person of service and of action: whenever she was asked to help an organization, a school, a family member, a neighbor, or anyone else—she said yes without hesitation. When her parents’ home suddenly flooded, when her brother was in a near-death car accident, when her mother’s health deteriorated rapidly, when her own home suffered a tragic fire, when her children needed an extra set of hands with new babies or anything else, and so many other times—each time she jumped in the car, hopped on the first flight out, or otherwise leapt into action. Her instinct and drive to help those she loved was unmatched.

Known for her directness and determination, Carol had a rare gift for confronting challenges head-on. She didn’t mince words and never hesitated to speak her truth. That clarity, matched with her deep loyalty, made her both a force and a blessing in the lives of those she loved.

Carol leaves behind a legacy of fierce love, community service, and no-nonsense honesty. She will be profoundly missed and lovingly remembered by all who were fortunate enough to know her. Her propensity for service and action will live on with her family. She is survived by her husband, David Bryan Starrett Sr; her eldest son David Bryan Starrett Jr., his wife Lauren McSwain-Starrett, and their daughters, Caroline and Josie Starrett (Greensboro, NC); and her younger son, Adam Michael Starrett, his wife April Starrett; and their children Evan and Isla Starrett (Peachtree City, GA), as well as her brother Bill Roberts of Edmond, Oklahoma, and his family. She was predeceased by her parents William G. Roberts and Judy Roberts, and her sister, Nancy Roberts.

A Celebration of Life will be held Saturday, October 18th at 11am, at the Cremation Society of SC – Westville Funerals, located at 6010 White Horse Rd, Greenville SC 29611. A reception will follow.

In lieu of flowers, the family asks that any remembrances/donations be offered to Northwood Little League in Carol’s name. Such donations can be sent to Northwood Little League, PO Box 981, Taylors, SC 29687. Carol loved making donations to support scholarships for young little leaguers who could not otherwise afford to register and participate.