Tommy was born on August 25, 1962, in Hughes, Arkansas to Ms. Rosie Lee Starling and Mr. J. W. Wells.
Tommy attended Benton Harbor High School graduating in the Class of 1982. He then joined the Marine Corps shortly after graduation. Tommy was employed at Texas Corral until its closing.
Tommy enjoyed entertaining and fellowshipping with family and friends laughing and joking, being the light of the room.
Tommy made his transition to be with the Lord on October 25th, 2023.
Tommy leaves behind his loving mother, Rosie Lee Starling; 1 daughter, Dominique Joyce Phillips of Atlanta, Georgia; 1 son, Tommy Lee Riley of Benton Harbor; 1 granddaughter, Skylar Jane Phillips of Atlanta, Georgia; 2 sisters, Priscilla (Johnny) Harden of Benton Harbor, Michigan and Sheila Starling (Toma) Turner of Indianapolis, Indiana; 1 brother, James Sterling of Benton Harbor, Michigan; 6 nieces, Melissa (Tommie) Turner and Marcella Harden, both of Benton Harbor, Michigan; Iesha Shaw and Tonika Hodge, both of Knoxville, Tennessee; Ty’ Zajh Starling and Tykia Bell, both of Indianapolis, Indiana; 5 nephews, Ernest Starling and Keithion Starling, both of Knoxville, Tennessee; Johnny Harden Jr, of Benton Harbor, Michigan; Tyke Starling and Tyda Bell, both of Indianapolis, Indiana; 1 aunt, Juliette Hampton of Kalamazoo, Michigan; 2 uncles, Isaiah (Dana) Newson and John Henry (Loretta) Johnson.
Special friends: Derrick Cooper, Paul Cooper, Steve Tucker, Anthony Bray, Otis Bradford, and a host of cousins and friends.
Tommy was preceded in death by his loving father, J. W. Wells; grandmother, Lillie Mae Hampton; 2 sisters, Rose Marie Starling and Lois Marie (Starling) Campbell; brother, Ernest Starling; 2 brothers-in-law Columbus Murphy and Anthony Campbell.
Arrangements have been entrusted to Robbins Brothers Funeral Home, Benton Harbor.
Services
GRAVESIDE SERVICE
Friday
November 10, 2023
1:00 PM
North Shore Memory Gardens
5027 M 63 N
Coloma, MI 49038