Betty Tritz Starnes died Monday, Aug. 29, 2011, at her daughter’s residence in Brandon. She was 86.

Born in New Orleans, Mrs. Starnes was the daughter of the late Cesar A. Tritz and Mary Anna Scofield Tritz. She was a graduate of McDonald High School in New Orleans.

A longtime resident of Vicksburg, Mrs. Starnes was a retired employee of the Vicksburg Tax Assessor and Collector’s Office. She was a member of Porters Chapel United Methodist Church.

In addition to her parents, she was predeceased by her husband of 59 years, John Wesley Starnes Sr.; a brother, Grant Tritz; and a sister, Dorothy E. Ritter.

She is survived by her son, John Wesley Starnes Jr. of Vicksburg; her daughter, Betty Starnes Ward (James) of Brandon; four grandchildren, Karen Winstead, Melissa Jean Starnes, Mary McCollum and Chris McCollum; and four great-grandchildren, Stephanie Winstead, Damien Jefferson, Akira Jefferson and Deja Jefferson.

Services will be at 11 a.m. Thursday at Riles Funeral Home with the Rev. Raggy Ragsdale, pastor of Porters Chapel United Methodist Church, officiating. Burial will be at the Shelton Cemetery in Copiah County. Visitation will be from 9 a.m. Thursday until the service.

Honorary pallbearers will be Dr. John Clark Williams, members of the Harper Sunday School Class and members of the Cursillo.

Memorials may be made to the Porters Chapel United Methodist Church Choir, 200 Porters Chapel Road, Vicksburg, MS 39180.