Phyllis "Jean" Stark, 83, Adrian, Missouri, died at her home, surrounded by family, on Tuesday, August 18, 2015. Funeral services will be held at 10:00 a.m. Saturday, August 22, 2015 at the Atkinson Funeral Home in Adrian, with burial in Crescent Hill Cemetery, Adrian. Visitation will be from 6:00-8:00 p.m. Friday, August 21 at the funeral home. Memorial contributions may be made to Crescent Hill Cemetery or Adrian First Responders.

Jean was born December 21, 1931, in Burdette, Missouri, to Roy Z. and Millie M. [Ketner] Clark. She attended grade school in a one-room school house in Burdette. Jean accepted Jesus as her Lord and Savior at age 11, at the Burdette Baptist Church and was then baptized in the Benton Ford Creek at the low water bridge. After graduating from Adrian High School, Jean married her true love, Denver F. Stark Sr. on September 9, 1949. The couple eventually moved to Adrian to raise their four children, Denver "Denny" Ferrell, Jr., Stanley Gene, Deborah Anne, and Lesli Kaye.

Jean became a member of the First Baptist Church of Adrian in 1963. She attended church faithfully and raised her children, grandchildren, and great grandchildren to know, love, and honor Christ the Lord. In 1976, Jean's dream of becoming a nurse became reality when she received her diploma in Practical Nursing from the Nevada Area Vocational Technical School in Nevada, Missouri. As a LPN, she cared for patients at the Bates County Hospital for 30 years. She also provided care for many people in Bates County as a home health nurse for 20 years while employed at the Bates County Health Center. Jean was highly regarded by her co-workers and adored by her patients of all ages. Her nursing expertise was honored when she was named Licensed Practical Nurse of the Year in 1989.


Jean was an extremely generous person. She provided financial support to many people, knowing she would not be repaid. And she was ok with that. She only wanted the person she helped to help someone in return. It was always her practice to give to those in need, offer encouragement, as well as plenty of second chances. Because of these things, she was honored as the Beta Sigma Phi 2015 Woman of the Year.

The greatest joy of her life was her family. Jean never missed the opportunity to have the whole extended family together for birthdays and holidays. Her children, grandchildren, great grandchildren, and great-great-grandchild were ever present in her home for unconditional love and great food. She loved Christmas and recently enjoyed a Christmas celebration in her home.

Jean was preceded in death by her husband of 59 years, Denver Stark, her son, Denny Stark, granddaughter, Mica Grimes, her parents, Roy and Millie Clark, sister, Doris Nelson, and brother, Jerry Clark. She is survived by her children, Stanley Stark and wife, Peggy of Adrian, Deborah Copper and husband, Steve of Warrensburg, and Lesli Stark of Adrian; 11 grandchildren; 26 great-grandchildren; 1 great-great-grandchild; 2 brothers, and a host of family and friends.