Pastor Ernest Kent Starks

Pastor Ernest K. Starks’ Life Journey

     Pastor Ernest K. Starks, affectionately known as “Mickey” was born to Samuel K. and Lucinda Starks in Fort Wayne, IN on March 29, 1939.

     He graduated from Central High School in 1957 and subsequently, married the LOVE OF HIS LIFE, Mary Edna “Brown Sugar Baby” Flowers. This union produced five children. Thereafter, he received an Associate’s Degree in Divinity from Faulkner School of Theology and obtained certification in Christian Theological Studies.

     He worked at American Hoist for 21 years, prior to the company relocating to Mexico.

     Reverend Starks was installed as Pastor of Greater Mount Ararat in September 1981. As a HUMBLE man of good repute, who loved the Lord with all his heart, with all his soul, with all his mind and with all his strength (Mark 12:30), he preached the gospel, unabashedly, used his God-given voice to sing songs of Zion under the anointing of the Holy Ghost and lived the life he sang and preached about.

     Under Pastor Starks’ leadership, on October 2, 1989, 4 1/2 acres of land was purchased to erect the present-day Greater Mount Ararat Church. Because of his vision and direction, many ministries were birthed, and numerous people were saved, delivered and set free.

     He leaves to cherish his memory, his DEVOTED and LOVING wife, Mary E. Starks; his children, Marcia Ussery, David Ussery, Michael (Sylvia) Starks Sr., Minister Tamyra (Wayne) Kelly Sr. and Angela (Minister Madison) Harris III, all of Fort Wayne, IN, Betty Anderson-Starks, Houston, TX; grandchildren, Jason Ussery, Evansville, IN, Jasmine Ussery of Roswell, GA, Aerial Starks of Boston, MA, Michael Starks Jr., Wayne Kelly Jr., Anton Harris, Shania Kelly, Sylare Starks, Mahkai Harris of Fort Wayne, IN, and Rico Starks, special sister-in- love Beverly Tate; special grandchildren Britain Flowers, Raymond Smith Jr. and Kalisha Goree; great grandchildren, Cayden, Keilah, Tyler Jr. and Kairo (arriving in August, 2023); siblings, Sandra (William) Carswell, Buster (Doris) Starks, Edward (Mary L.) Starks, Ethel (Roosevelt) Martin, David (Colette) Starks and Lucinda Williams, all of Fort Wayne, IN and a host of other relatives and friends.

     He was preceded in death by his parents, Samuel K. and Lucinda Starks, his son, Dr. Ernest O. Starks; sisters, Lucy Sanders, Odessa Stewart and brother, Larry Starks.

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