I suppose Christine Church Starcher, 89, will be little noted or long remembered except by her family, a resident of Henry's Fork, Calhoun County, passing away in September, 2025.

During the past 150 years the Starchers, Maces, Churchs and Carpenters were as thick as broom-sedge, digging out a living and making-do.

If I could plant a star in the heavens for her, I would.

Back in the day when families would rotate houses for a Sunday feast, we would go to Fred and Bethel Hall Starcher's abode, her husbands homeplace.

Christine and her husband Fred Starcher, Jr. and family spent most of their lives in small, well-kept cottage on a hillside, but most amazing was her care taking of her invalid son Jimmy for 63 years.

While she had a few spurts at public employment, she kept house, read books and played dominoes, humble and grateful.

Standing on the hilltop Starcher Cemetery where she was laid to rest, I was grateful for visiting her a few weeks ago and talking about life in the hills.

She will now be added to the long list of Calhoun Originals - people of place - whose presence graced our lives.