Dr. Sallye Ann Starks

Sallye Ann Starks, aged 91, entered eternal life with the Lord Jesus peacefully on April 30, 2025 after a lengthy illness. She was a long time member of the First Presbyterian Church of Lake Charles. In a day and time when few women pursued higher education, Aunt Sallye received degrees from the Peabody Teachers College (TN) and McNeese State University (LA), ultimately earning her PhD from Louisiana State University. She began her professional career as a high school teacher in Morgan City (LA), taught at McNeese, and became professor at Nicholls State University (LA), retiring from Nicholls as Acting Dean of Business. She co-authored the book entitled Business Communications as well as multiple academic articles.

Aunt Sallye had no children, but always maintained close contact with family and numerous friends. She is remembered as being generous, sassy, adventurous, cool, and fun! Aunt Sallye is survived by nieces and nephews: Clarence Starks III (Linda), David Starks (Faye), John Robyn Starks (Terri), Jackie Starks Jr. (Colleen), Gerald Starks (Gail), Diane McKey (Jeff), Jeffrey Starks (Nina), Michael Starks, Sharon McDonner (Tim), Gregory Starks, Anita Lynne Terrio (Mark), Vernon Davis (Judy), and J. R. Houser. She is preceded in death by husbands William Houser and James Patrick Benoit, her parents Effie Keowen Starks and Clarence Starks, Sr., brother Clarence Starks Jr. (Nell), brother Jackie Starks Sr. (Juanita), sister Betty Davis (Vernon), niece Bobbye Jo James (Rodney), and step-daughter Melani Houser (Kris).

A Celebration of Life service will be held Saturday, September 13, 2025 from 10:30 AM until noon with prayers and the sharing of memories at Seale Funeral Home, 1720 S. Range Ave., Denham Springs, LA. Aunt Sallye’s nieces, nephews and stepson serve as honorary pallbearers.