Duana Dee Jabara Starks

Duana Dee Jabara Starks died peacefully on September 5, 2018 at Catholic Care Center in Bel Aire, Kansas. She was 82. Family visitation and viewing will be from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. on Friday, September 7, at Downing & Lahey East Mortuary at 6555 E. Central Avenue in Wichita. The funeral service will be at 1 p.m. on Saturday, Sept. 8, at Grace Presbyterian Church at 5002 E Douglas Avenue in Wichita. Born on April 16, 1936 to Farris George and Hanna H. Jabara of Burden, Kansas, Duana was a smart, loving, and spiritual woman, who loved God and family above all, and found her greatest joys in life when spending time with her children and grandchildren. The youngest of nine children and a “Sittee” to nine grandchildren, Duana celebrated the families, stories, and successes of her older siblings as well as the vibrant social and cultural communities that she was a part of. She always welcomed family, friends, and neighbors into her heart and home. After graduating salutatorian of Burden High School, Duana attended Wichita State University and was a member of the Gamma Phi Beta sorority. Duana and her fraternal twin, Donna, were honored by their brother, Fran Jabara, with memorials on the WSU Plaza of Heroines. Duana married Charles Berton Starks Jr. in St. George Orthodox Christian Church in 1963. They resided in Wichita and raised three children before divorcing in 1981. Duana was an active member of Grace Presbyterian Church and a supporter of Christian Women of Wichita. She worked as a volunteer for Price Elementary School clubs and fundraisers. Additionally, Duana enjoyed a lifetime love of good food, dancing, reading, and television news. She was a gifted storyteller who loved to entertain and laugh. A woman of character, glamour, and an outspoken personality, Duana believed in forgiveness and showed love to many. She never met a stranger and instilled her strong sense of faith and values in her children to not worry and trust in Jesus Christ each day. Duana was preceded in death by her sisters, Elsie Nimrod (Virgil), twin Donna Baker (Loren); brothers, Jerry Jabara (Caroline), Edward Jabara (Marge), Walter Kay Jabara (Blanche), Everett Jabara, and Fran Jabara; and brother-in-law, Jay Galloway. She is survived by her sister, Helen Galloway; son, Charles “C.B.” Berton Starks III (Deborah); daughters, Hanna Collins (Nolan) and Grace Bean (David); nine adored grandchildren; sisters-in-law, Geri Jabara, Paula Crook; and 18 beloved nieces and nephews. The family wishes to thank all those who cared for Duana during her last illness. Duana was a patriot and proud of her sons service in the United States Marine Corps as well as the military service of her brothers. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be sent in her name to TAPS at www.taps.org.