Colonel Sheldon DeLong Starkes, Sr. , (Ret) (USAF), 77, of Dumfries, VA, passed away Wednesday, July 31, 2024, at Sentara Medical Center in Woodbridge, VA, after a prolonged illness.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Mr. Damon and Mrs. Annie Ruth Starkes.

He is survived by his wife, the former Elaine Mercedes Adams from Orangeburg, SC; two daughters, Wanda Eichelberger of Columbia, SC and Tiffani (Byron) Bacon of Sumter, SC; one son, Sheldon DeLong (Kellie) Starkes, II, of Stafford, VA; seven grandchildren, Alexia Campo of Woodbridge, VA, Xavier Javon Bacon of Sumter, SC, Paris Jaline Robinson of Alexandria, VA, Ronald McIntosh of Columbia, SC, Sheldon DeLong Starkes, III, Aiden K., Chatmon-Starkes, and Spencer Damon Starkes of Stafford, VA; three brothers, Colonel Virgil A. Starkes (USAF, Ret) (Sandra) of Schertz, TX; Marvin B. Starkes of Columbia, SC; and F. Xavier Starkes, Esquire, of Columbia, SC; two sisters, Isabell Mitchell, and Doris L. Starkes both of Columbia, SC; an additional sister-in-law, Terry Jean Smarr of Orangeburg, SC; an additional brother-in-law, Tyrone (Deborah) Adams of Clarksville, TN; and a host of other relatives and friends.

A viewing will be held at First Mt. Zion Baptist Church, 16622 Dumfries Road, Dumfries, VA 22025, on Friday, August 16, 2024, at 10:00 AM followed by a funeral service at 11:00 AM. The interment will follow at Quantico National Cemetery at 12:30 PM.