Bernadine D. (Starr) Rhea, known as Bernie and Miss B, passed from this life October 23, 2021, in Edmond, Oklahoma at the age of 93. She was born in Powersville, Missouri, on February 16, 1928, to Wright and Ollie (Greer) Starr. She was baptized in the Methodist Church in 1966.

Bernie graduated from high school in Chino, California, earning scholastic honors. After graduating high school, she moved to a boarding house while taking classes at Woodbury Business College in Los Angeles, California where she met the love of her life, Jim Rhea.

Bernie and Jim were married in Las Vegas, Nevada, on October 17, 1947, and enjoyed 67 beautiful years together. To this union two sons and one daughter was born Kenneth James, Robert Alan and Janice Lynn. The family lived in many places California, Ohio, Colorado, Oklahoma and finally settling in Edmond. Bernie was the secretary for an aviation group at Kaiser Steel prior to getting married.  After marriage her never-ending job was extraordinary wife and mother. Some of the things she enjoyed included crossword puzzles, reading, flower arranging, ceramics, sewing, bowling, gold leaf work, and laughing so hard on family game nights that she would cry or double over.  But most of all she loved spending time with family and friends.

Bernie was preceded in death by her beloved husband Jim Rhea, parents Wright and Ollie Starr, son Robert Rhea, sister Lillian Starr and brother Frank Starr.

She is survived by her son Kenneth James Rhea of Costa Mesa, California; daughter Janice Lynn Rhea of Edmond, Oklahoma; daughter-in-law Lynette Marie Rhea of Stillwater, Oklahoma; three grandchildren Kevin James Rhea of Costa Mesa, California, Jessica Marie Rhea of Norman, Oklahoma and Jeffrey Alan Rhea of Stillwater, Oklahoma; several nieces, nephews, grand, great-grand and great-great grand nieces and nephews; other family and a host of friends who all loved her dearly and will miss her greatly.

Everyone who was in her presence felt welcomed, and valued and better for having known her.

In lieu of flowers memorial donations may be made to the Alzheimer's Association in care of Shaw Funeral Home, P.O. Box 276, Vici, OK 73859.