Imogene Starr

Ima Jean was born November 11, 1926 to Aaron and Georgia Spencer of Kansas City

Kansas.  Later in her primary school years, a school teacher told her the correct spelling

of her name was Imo Gene and made her use that spelling. In her mid 30’s she had to

get a new drivers license and legally change her name to Imogene.

Imogene accepted Christ at the age of eight years old and was baptized by Reverand D. Ballard

Jackson August 1935 at Eighth Street Baptist Church. She served in many capacities including

singing in the choir and working with teens. For 29 years she was a faithful member. In 1967

she moved to Kansas in the Argentine district then became a member of Second Metropolitan

Baptist Church under the late Reverend Dr. C.E . Taylor. She taught Sunday School, sang in the

choir and was on the Mission Board. In 1976 she married and moved to Kansas City Missouri

where she joined greater Mount Zion Baptist Church under Pastor Albert Colbert, she served

there for 17 years, While there she sang in the choir, taught Children’s Church, Sunday school

and served on the Mission and Deaconess board. She remained a faithful member until she

returned to Eighth Street Baptist Church in 1996.

She was educated in the Kansas City Kansas Public School District. She was able to attend

primary school at four years of age because of her height; being so tall, nobody questioned her

age. She attended Northeast Junior High and in 1943 graduated from Sumner High School. At

the age of 49 she attended nursing school at Kansas Belle Memorial Hospital now KUMC and

received her license practical nursing degree.

Throughout her life, she held notable employment positions. She was the first black woman to

cook for a A & B on 12th and Main.  When she was 18 years old, she worked on airplane parts

for bombers during World War II at the Fairfax Plant. She was also the first black woman to

work the front area of Kresge Ten cent store which later became Woolworths. There she

cooked and sold hotdogs and soda. In 1972 she was the first black woman to be featured on

Channel 9 news, educating audiences about breast cancer.

It’s important to note that Imogene was a very organized person and liked things to be a certain

way, including making sure she wrote most of her reflections to tell you all a few things that she

really took pride in such as being the head of the deacon‘s wives, teaching Sunday school,

singing in the choir, always being involved in church activities, taking care of children and being

a nurse. Things she really enjoyed were following politics, watching sports, cooking dinner for

her children, singing songs of praise, mailing out greeting cards, and watching family have a

good time. She loved having everyone together especially for Thanksgiving meals. She always

took the opportunity to speak about God’s love and encouraged everyone to always continue

their education.

Prior to marriage, Imogene had one child. She married Jacob Starr in 1946 and two children

were born to this union. Later she married David Samuel and six children were born. After

several years in 1976, she remarried Jacob, who preceded her in death.

Imogene was also preceded in death by her two sons David Michael Spencer and Anthony Keith

Samuel, her siblings, Willie Lonest Williams, Donald Spencer, Ruby D. Marks, Bennie Spencer

and Mary Jane McCoy. She is survived by her brother Stewart Spencer, her children Joseph A.

Starr (Evelyn) of Moreno Valley, California, Clearlis A. Starr of Raytown Missouri, Cheryl P.

Hardy-Roark of Grandview Missouri, Gregory Samuel of Kansas City Missouri, Phyllis J. (Ron)

Jensen of Kansas City Kansas, Vicki R. Roath of Grandview Missouri, and George D.B. Samuel of

Grandview Missouri.

She also leaves 32 grandchildren, 71 great grandchildren, and more than 10 great, great

grandchildren. She also held several nieces and great nieces; nephews and great nephews close

to her heart.

Imogene constantly expressed love to so many in hopes that all who encountered her will

continue the assignment of love and togetherness during their time on this earth.

She left a very special message for her children, “thank you for all you did, for all that you’ve

done, for Just being there; you know I needed you. Thanks for all the meals, for being there

when I needed you, for answering that ringing bell which was her call light, and all the other

acts of kindness.  Always keep God first in your life.” and develop a relationship with Him, don’t

forget to always forgive quickly!