Kenneth Poe Funeral Services

February 21, 2024

CHARLOTTE – Michael Vick Starling, of Charlotte, NC, passed on peacefully on Wednesday evening, February 21, 2024.  Born in Smithfield, NC on May 8, 1940, he was son of the late Melvin Vick Starling and Lillie Atkinson Starling, who gave him a wonderful childhood of Scouting, music, faith, and expectations of worthy effort.  

A multi-sport athlete and All-State running back at Smithfield High School, he graduated Cum Laude from Wake Forest University in 1962 with a Bachelor of Science in mathematics. As a student, he was President of Kappa Sigma Fraternity, a cadet leader in the ROTC program, and a member of Scabbard and Blade.

In the spring of his senior year, he proposed marriage to freshman co-ed Rebecca (Becky) Stone.  She accepted when he upped the ante with Heath Bars; just months later, they departed their wedding ceremony for his active duty in the United States Army.

After two years in the Military Intelligence Corps, Mike began civilian work at First Citizen’s Bank in Charlotte.  He was active in civic clubs, an Honorary Lifetime Member of the Chamber of Commerce, and a member of Myers Park Country Club.  He contributed his beautiful tenor voice to the choir of St. John’s Baptist Church.

Recruited by The Bank of Virginia in early 1976, he moved with Rebecca and two young sons to a home on Fredericksburg’s historic Washington Avenue.  They loved this house, neighborhood, and community for 40 years.  

Mike served as the bank’s Area Executive and Senior Regional Vice President before becoming Chief Financial Officer of Mary Washington Hospital, then under the new, visionary leadership of President William Jacobs.  Mike considered those years of reorganization, building a new hospital, and expanding health services the most fulfilling of his entire work life.  At the time of early retirement in 1996, he was Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer of the parent company.

Highly regarded for his teamwork and affability, Mike respected everyone who approached his professional or personal doorway.  He was a genial host, and the family home was featured multiple times for Garden Week in Virginia and Historic Fredericksburg’s annual Candlelight Tour.

Mike completed terms as President of the Historic Fredericksburg Foundation and Rappahannock United Way; served on the Advisory Council for Belmont; and enjoyed the rich associations of Fredericksburg Rotary Club, St. George’s Episcopal Church, Fredericksburg Country Club, and his golf and ski groups. 

He also had a three-decade relationship with the American Automobile Association as a Director of AAA Virginia and AAA Mid-Atlantic boards.

Most of all, he loved his family, and he took great pride in his two sons, who moved as young adults to Charlotte.  To be near them again, Mike and Becky returned to Charlotte themselves in late 2016.    

Despite life-changing health challenges in his last years, Mike seldom complained.  When his hearing failed, he contentedly hummed to himself.  He inspired us all with his trust of others and his belief that most things turn out the same way whether we worry or not.

Besides, Rebecca, his spouse of 61 years, Mike is survived by his son, Michael Scott Starling and his wife, Meredith, and their sons, David and Jonathan, all of Charlotte, NC; son, Richard Stone Starling and his wife, Debbie, and their children, Robert and Jane, also of Charlotte.  Also surviving are his in-laws, Elinor Starling; Susan and Mac Brown; Tommy Stone; and six nieces and nephews.  Mike’s only sibling, William G. Starling of Winston-Salem, NC, predeceased him in 2000 after serving as Director and Dean of Admissions of Wake Forest University for over four decades.  We are all better for Mike’s peace and patience and his tender heart.

The family offers sincere appreciation to the staff and residents of Waltonwood Cotswold, where Mike spent his last two years in Assisted Living. We also thank the many faithful friends who brightened his life with US mail, particularly the Wesley Sunday School Class of Myers Park United Methodist Church; Gail Vaughan of MA; Cathy and Scott Walker of Fredericksburg; and Mary Ross of Fredericksburg. You kept him walking to his postal box, expecting something good.

Our final, heartfelt gratitude goes to the ministers and congregation of St. John’s Baptist Church. Your welcome home has been perfect.

A memorial service will be held 1:00 PM on Thursday, March 7, 2024, at St. John’s Baptist Church, 300 Hawthorne Lane, Charlotte, NC.  The family will receive friends following the service at the home of Debbie and Rick Starling, 3210 Foxcroft Road, Charlotte, NC.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be offered in memory of Mike to a charity of the donor’s choice.

Arrangements are in the care of Kenneth W. Poe Funeral & Cremation Service, 1321 Berkeley Ave., Charlotte, NC 28204; (704) 641-7606. Online condolences may be shared at www.kennethpoeservices.com.