Page 8 - Chehalis Tribal Newsletter - September, 2018

8

OBITUARIES

Beatrice ‘Mema’ A. Starr (Christensen) Kenneth Delbert Brown Sr.

1946-2018 1941-2018
Beatrice “Mema” Angeline Starr There was a lot. Her body gave Kenneth Delbert Brown Sr., 77, a resident
(Christensen). Beatrice, one of 13 out before her soul did. She was of Oakville, died on Aug. 11 at University
children, was born March 25, 1946, spunky and fun. I never met Medical Center in Seattle. Kenneth was born
in Oakville to Violet and Benjamin anyone with more life and love on May 19, 1941, in Rochester
Starr. Beatrice passed away July 22 for life than her. to Wesley Jack and Gladys
at home. Her grandchildren were her Grace (Beckwith) Brown. He
Beatrice was a member of the world. We made several trips was raised in Oakville and
Chehalis Tribe as a respected elder. to California just to say hi to California.
She was married to the late David Shelby. Bethany was fortunate He worked as a logger, was
Christensen. They had two children, to live with her. They spent almost every president of CITE Construction
Lillian and David, both of Grays second together until they couldn’t any more. and retired from Weyerhaeuser
Harbor. She also is survived by two I want to say thank you to everyone in this in 2007 after more than 20
special granddaughters, Shelby of community. We often take for granted where years with the company. He was a volunteer
California and Bethany of Grays we live and forget that outside of here life isn’t firefighter with the Oakville Fire Department
Harbor. In addition to her children as forgiving as it is here. The community is for 20 years.
and grandchildren, she is survived family and family is the community. I wouldn’t In his younger years, he liked to fish, hunt,
by her sisters Starla and Lolly Starr have survived this without my cousins Cheryle, cut wood and play baseball. He coached Little
and brothers Amil Starr Sr., Lee Maynard, Kim, Amil, Amanda (AJ), Domnor League Baseball for many years. Later, he would
Starr Sr. and Benjamin Starr Jr. and Trey; my Aunty TC; and Wayne and Maria watch sports on television, but he especially
She loved her children and Barr. Thank you to all the pallbearers and the loved watching wrestling.
granddaughters so much. She amazing cooks who did a wonderful job and Surviving relatives include daughters Carmen
traveled a lot with her daughter everyone who did what they could to help my Brown, Norma Jean Daniels and Kimberly
and granddaughters. Her favorite family who lost our matriarch and the giver of Brown-Starr, all of Oakville; son Kenneth
places were Hawaii and California. life. My heart goes out to all of you. We are so “Bonner” Brown Jr. of Oakville; sisters June
Anywhere they found a good place blessed to have a community such as ours. Jones of Kingston, Betty Fulton of Kingston,
to eat and make memories is where
she wanted to be. From David E. Christensen: Nadine Burnett of Oakville, Beverly Bishop of
Beatrice was a free spirit with “I awake each morning to start a new day, Oakville and Marilyn Johnson of Rochester;
a heart of gold and loved all who but the pain of losing you never goes away. brother Don Brown of Arcata, California; 11
came into her path. I go about the things I have to do. grandchildren; and four great-grandchildren.
In addition to his parents, he was preceded
And as the hours pass, I think again of you. by a sister, Norma Jean Brown, in 1961 and a
From Lilly and David E. I want to call you and just hear your voice,
Christensen: then I remember that I have no choice. brother, Alfred Brown, in 2007.
A funeral service was held for Kenneth
My mama was one of God’s For you are not there and now my heart cries on Saturday, Aug. 18, at the Chehalis Tribal
angels that we were fortunate just to see you again to tell you goodbye. Community Center in Oakville.
enough to have her grace our lives. To say Mama I love you and I always will. He will be remembered as a good man.
She loved with all her heart and And hope that much of you in me you’ve instilled.
wore it on her sleeve. She had a The day that you left, I just didn’t know
heart of gold. She loved her family that you were going where I couldn’t go.
so much that she’d sacrifice her And now all my memories of you are so dear.” Roberta Darling Combs
own happiness and/or well-being But gosh, how I miss you and wish you were here.
for them. She didn’t have the word Who now can hear me when I need to cry? 1944-2018
“no” in her vocabulary. She loved It so hard to tell you “Mama goodbye.”
to live. Suffering couldn’t stop Someday I know all will be well. Chehalis Tribal Elder Roberta Darling
her; instead, she embraced it. She And I’ll see you again with stories to tell. Combs was born on June 2, 1944, and died on
viewed it as a challenge to live a Of how you were missed and how we have grown, Aug. 20, 2018. She is survived by her husband,
better life through it. She was a and how good it is to finally be home. Albert “AB” Combs; sister
quiet member of the community. Until then my memories of you I’ll keep near. Rachel Combs; brothers Levi
No matter where she lived, she And I’ll pass them on to those who are dear. L. Sanchez, George Sanchez
always called Oakville her home. I miss you Mama.” Sr. and Edward Sanchez Sr.;
She loved to travel and explore. - Poem by sons Anthony “Chobe” Combs,
Sometimes, we would travel Claudia Lee Albert Combs Jr., George
hundreds of miles for one of her Sanchez, Jr. and Willie Joe; and
favorite meals. Main Street was her many grandchildren and great
favorite place to eat. She made an grandchildren.
impression everywhere we went. Acknowledgements
Food was an excuse to drive three The family wishes to acknowledge and let
states away to have a great steak everyone know their deep appreciation for the
and a piece of fish. She always had many expressions of love, concern and kindness
a smile on her face except for when shown to them during this hour of bereavement.
she thought she was alone. Then, See OBITUARIES, May God bless and keep you!
she let her pain show on her face. page 9 – The Combs Family