Trudy Starnes Wormwood

May 31, 1951 - December 4, 2020

Trudy Starnes Wormwood peacefully departed this earthly life and earned her wings to join our heavenly father on December 4, 2020 at Novant Health Forsyth Medical Center. Born in Winston-Salem, NC on May 31, 1951 to the union of Willie J. Starnes and Ada Mae Carelock Starnes, Trudy matriculated through the Winston-Salem/Forsyth County Public Schools. Trudy was one of two black students who attended Parkland High School prior to the desegregation of schools in Winston-Salem and ultimately graduated from Simon G. Atkins High School, Class of 1969. While enrolled at Atkins High School, she also attended Bennett College to begin her college studies. Trudy was an artist at heart, a believer of Jesus Christ, and a lover of family. She attended Brooks Institute in Santa Barbara, CA, the School of the Arts in Winston-Salem, NC, and was the first black female stage designer for the Stevens Center, affiliated with the School of the Arts. She was passionate about art in all its forms and was most proud of her time as a member with the Otesha Dance and Music Ensemble in the early 1980s. Her love for music was one of her favorite pastimes, and showed up in the sweetest moments, whether through listening to her wide collection of Jazz Albums or teaching her grandchildren and great grandchildren how to play one of her many drums during their visits. Above all she placed her faith in Jesus Christ, whom she loved deeply, studied often, and wrote about her personal relationship with him. For a number of years, she was a long standing member and leader of the Audio/Visual Team at Union Baptist Church under the leadership of Rev. Dr. B. F. Daniels.Trudy was an ordained Minister and has been a member of Images of God Outreach Center since 2015 and served as the Secretary to Pastors Antonio and Belva Spillman. Her greatest joy was found in spending time with her mother, Ada Mae Starnes, and her only child, Shaun Starnes.In addition to her father: Willie J. Starnes, she was preceded in her death by her brother: Woody Starnes. She leaves to cherish her memory, her mother: Ada Mae Starnes; her only child: Shaun (Darlene) Starnes; loving and devoted grandchildren: Tavarus Starnes, D’Andre (Maliquea) Starnes, and the twins Tavonte’ Starnes and Desirae’ Starnes; great-grandchildren: Destini Starnes, Calix Starnes, Camryn Starnes, and Cyler Starnes; brothers: Curtis Starnes and Glenn (Sendra) Starnes, Sr., sisters: Odessa (Bruce) Martin and Lisa (Bobby) Ellison; nieces and nephews: Christian “Nikki” Starnes, Chrishna “Janae” Starnes, Glenn Starnes II, David Moore II, Joy Martin, Eric Moore, and Brandon Starnes; special friends: Eugene and Vanessa Thompson; and a host of special cousins, other relatives, and friends. Due to COVID-19 restrictions, the family will conduct a Celebration of Life at a later date. The immediate family can be contacted at and expressions of love can be sent via email to Shaun Starnes at [email protected] Arrangements entrusted to Gilmore Funeral Memorial Services (GILMORE).