Rev. Norwood Cleveland Starling
(August 22, 1941 – June 27, 2021)

Born in Durham, North Carolina, Norwood was the son of the late Cleveland Loyd and Ettie Little Starling. A graduate of Warwick High School (Newport News, VA), he served in the United States Coast Guard Reserves. He attended Old Dominion University and Arizona Bible Institute and served as a minister of the Gospel for 55 years in the International Pentecostal Holiness Church.

Surviving is his wife, Jerry Ellis Starling of the home; a son, Donald Starling (Gwen) of Greer, SC; two daughters, Sandra Braswell (Jamie) of Colorado Springs, CO and Sherin Riggs (Marcus) of Hampton, VA; six grandchildren, Allison Starling, Preston Braswell (Lauren), Geoffrey Starling (Caroline), Abbie Braswell, Natalie Riggs and Nathaniel Riggs; and one great- grandson, Judah-Ray Braswell. Mr. Starling was predeceased by three sisters, Mary Broughman, Betty King and Hilda Jones. He is survived by a sister, Joyce Parnell, and a brother, Glen Starling.

Rev. Starling lived his life motto, "To do anything God wants me to do." His favorite Scripture was Titus 2:11-14:
11 For the grace of God that bringeth salvation hath appeared to all men,
12 Teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly, in this present world;
13 Looking for that blessed hope, and the glorious appearing of the great God and our Saviour Jesus Christ;
14 Who gave Himself for us, that He might redeem us from all iniquity, and purify unto Himself a peculiar people, zealous of good works.

As a young man, Norwood distinguished himself by winning the Virginia State Championship at Warwick High School in 3-A High School wrestling. He also volunteered in the 1960s as a Scout Master in the Boy Scouts of America. On October 15, 1961, at the Greenwood Pentecostal Holiness Church (Hampton, VA), Norwood was saved under the ministry of his brother-in-law, Rev. Glen Jones. While attending the church, he met his sweetheart, Jerry Ellis Starling, whom he married on February 13, 1965, and loved devotedly for 56 years. Together with Jerry, he served the Lord over the next 55 years in the following capacities:
1965-1968: Founding Pastor of the Williamsburg First Pentecostal Holiness Church, Williamsburg, Virginia.
1968-1972: Pastor of the Glendale Pentecostal Holiness Church and Christian Education Director of the Arizona Conference of the Pentecostal Holiness Church.
1972-1990: Pastor of the Suffolk Pentecostal Holiness Church, Suffolk, Virginia.
1982-1998: Served on the board of the Eastern Virginia Conference of the International Pentecostal Holiness Church.
1986-1990: Elected Assistant Superintendent of the Eastern Virginia Conference.
1990-1998: Elected Superintendent of the Eastern Virginia Conference.
1990-1998: Falcon Children's Home Board Member; Emmanuel College Board Member.
1999-2021: Pastor at Harvest Temple Pentecostal Holiness Church, Roanoke Rapids, North Carolina.

Visitation will begin at 10 AM on Thursday, July 1, 2021 at Radiant Life Ministries, 100 Kilby Shores Drive, Suffolk, VA 23434. A Homegoing Service will follow at 11 AM. Burial will be at 3 PM at Peninsula Memorial Park, 12750 Warwick Boulevard, Newport News, VA 23606.

Memorial donations may be made to, Men's Ministries, c/o Danny Holloway, Harvest Temple P.H. Church, 128 Western Drive, Roanoke Rapids, NC 27870, or to Falcon Children's Home, 7569 North West Street, Falcon, NC 28342.

Arrangements by W. J. Smith & Son Funeral Home.