Toni Lairry-Starks

Arkansas Blue Cross and Blue Shield Vice President of Internal Operations, MRS. TONI LAIRRY-STARKS, of North Little Rock, passed away peacefully on April 3, 2014, surrounded by family and close friends. She was 60 years old. Mrs. Lairry-Starks was born Nov. 19, 1953 to Mr. Levert and Mrs. Geneva Lairry. She received her early education in North Little Rock, later moving with her family to San Francisco, Calif., where she attended Woodrow Wilson High School and San Francisco State University. Upon her return to North Little Rock, she began a stellar career at Arkansas Blue and Cross and Blue Shield in August 1974 as a Claims Examiner. During her celebrated and distinguished 39-year tenure, through hard work and dedication, she excelled to the positions of Supervisor, Operations Manager, Manager of Customer Service and Director of the Customer Service Call Center. While serving in each of these positions, her gift of being a supportive, inspirational leader was evident. In 2008, Toni was promoted to executive status in her most recent position of Vice President of Internal Operations, where she offered executive oversight for the operational areas of fully insured products, BlueCard and the Federal Employee Program, along with membership, claims, customer service, incoming mail and special projects. Toni was a gifted leader and inspirational mentor who gained the respect and admiration of her colleagues Enterprise-wide. She was a positive influence, whose courage, humility, dynamic energy and sense of humor had a positive impact on all who had the privilege of knowing her. Preceded in death by her parents; and a brother, Jerry Robinson. Toni is survived by her husband, Ben Starks III; a son, Antoine Lairry of North Little Rock; step-sons, Jamel Starks of Little Rock and Ben Starks IV of DeSoto, Texas; step-daughter, Talona (Joe) Johnson of Rochester Hills, Mich.; two brothers, Tariq (Carol) Abdullah of Atlanta, Ga., and Steven (Fabian) Lairry of Little Rock; eight grandchildren; and many other relatives and friends. Family hour will be Wednesday, April 9, 2014, 5-7 p.m. at Central Church of Christ, 823 West 6th Street, Little Rock. Services will be held on Thursday, April 10, 2014, 11 a.m. at Central Church of Christ. Arrangements are by Premier Funeral Home 1518 S. Battery St. Little Rock, Ark. 72202 (501) 376-4800.