A sweetheart story

A couple from the country have settled in town just in time for their 68th wedding anniversary. If you don’t know Doyle and Helen Starrett, you will feel like you do when you read this.

Their story began when Helen Rawlinson graduated from Sulphur Bluff High School in 1954 and moved to town to begin a job with the City of Sulphur Springs. She did as many young single people did back then; she rented a room in a private home and walked to work. She met Doyle in Sunday School class at Central Baptist Church. They courted, then married on April 7, 1956, at their pastor’s home and quietly began their lives together.

At first, Doyle worked at Hagy Appliance on Connally St. downtown, and in 1956, he was hired at Rockwell International and began a 44year career there. Helen worked at the Sulphur Springs State Bank until they began their family, and later would work another 25 years in SSISD. They raised two sons, Arvin and Tommy, and in 1991, the couple built a home and farm on CR 4588 where they lived until late 2023.

Church is an important part of their lives. As a charter member of Central Baptist Church, Doyle was also a music leader for several years. Tommy Starrett became Music Director until he passed away in 2006. His widow, Angi Gilmore, remains part of the family. Arvin Starrett works at Fry-Gibbs Funeral Home, is a church organist, and lives in Paris, Texas. Today, Helen and Doyle dote on three grandchildren and seven great-grandchildren.

Doyle’s family was among the earliest settlers to arrive in the Reilly Springs area of Hopkins County. Of the 13 children of Jim and Almeda Starrett, some attended the “Bugscuffle School” which later consolidated with the Reilly Springs school. Doyle’s dad, Roy Starrett, was a student there, and he would later help build the first structure of Central Baptist Church in Sulphur Springs, chartered in 1949.

Here are a few more sweetheart couples I ran across during Valentine’s week.

Sam and Charlene Stewart will celebrate 29 years of marriage, Frances and Billy Daniels will have their 68th wedding anniversary later this year, Charles and Jean Darr will be married 64 years in 2024, and Clayton and Elizabeth Mc-Graw will celebrate 72 years together this autumn.

You will enjoy the McGraw's love story told in the News-Telegram’s Down Home Today podcast episode #240, free to hear at ssnewstelegram. com.