HAMPTON - Mary Catherine Starling Broughman, age 84, passed away peacefully at home on Sunday, July 28, 2013, surrounded by her loving family.

She was born in Johnston County, North Carolina on May 13, 1929 to the late Cleveland Lloyd and Ettie Catherine Starling.

She was a diligent worker her entire life and was known by her family and friends for her strong work ethic. She started working in a small grocery store at the age of 13. She was employed at Coats and Clark Zipper Factory as a Supervisor and later was Owner and Operator of Paramount Florist until her retirement.

Mary was an active member of Parkview Church of God and enjoyed faithfully serving in the Women's Ministries for many years. She loved attending church and helping others by her giving, baking, and visiting. She touched countless lives with her kindness and generosity.

Survivors include her children, Cathie Fraser and husband John; Benjamin Weeks, Jr. and wife Donna; grandchildren, Jason Forrest, Robin Mason and husband Greg, Benjamin Weeks III and wife Caroline, Kelly Germano and husband David; great-grandchildren, Tyler Mason, Avery Weeks, Colton Mason, and Asa Weeks; siblings, Betty King, Hilda Jones and husband Glen, Joyce Parnell and husband Carl, Norwood Starling and wife Jerry, Glen Starling and wife Linda and many loving nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her husband Dana Edward Broughman on August 15, 2003.

The family will receive friends on Tuesday, July 30, 2013 from 6-7:30 PM in the W. J. Smith & Son Funeral Home. A funeral service will be held on Wednesday, July 31, 2013 at 11:00 AM in Parkview Church Of God with Pastor Mark S. Hamrick officiating. A graveside service will be held on Wednesday afternoon at 3:00 PM in the Peninsula Memorial Park Cemetery.

The family requests that in lieu of flowers, donations be made to The Women's Ministries at Parkview Church of God, 1116 Briarfield Road, Newport News, VA, 23605. Please leave condolences at www.wjsmithandsonfh.com.  Arrangements by W. J. Smith & Son Funeral Home. View and post condolences on our online guestbook at dailypress.com/guestbooks.

Published in the Daily Press on July 29, 2013.
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