Gala Deloris Smith-Starling was born March 2, 1938, to the late Versie Mae Peoples
Smith and Theodore Roosevelt Smith. She was nurtured and educated in Edwards, MS. She
accepted Christ at an early age in Edwards, MS. She graduated from Tougaloo College in 1959
with a degree in Sociology. Thereafter, Gala was employed with the Yazoo County School
District as a Teacher and Librarian for 33 years.

Gala married Horace Starling in her early adult life and became a native of Yazoo City.
She continued her spiritual growth at Mount Vernon Missionary Baptist Church until her health
declined in 2019.

She is predeceased by her siblings Roosevelt Smith Jr., Marcellus Smith, Allen
Smith, Lillian Smith, Lydian Smith Range, Alfonzo Smith, Adell Smith, Helen
Smith Turner, Nettie Belle Smith, and Rosetta Smith Jernigan, and Lucille
Johnson.
She is survived by her sisters Loretta Smith Peoples and Elinder Smith Martin, a
host of nieces and nephews, great and great-great nieces and nephews and a
host of family and friends.
Gala Deloris Smith Starling was devoted to several organizations throughout her life:
Tougaloo Alumni, Y-Teen, Jolly Misses & Madams, and Retired School Teachers. She was a
foster parent and an advocate for the mentally ill. Gala firmly believed in education and has
encouraged many students to pursue higher education and careers.
Since 1978 until her death, she served on the Board of Directors for Warren Yazoo Behavioral
Health, serving as the Yazoo County Commissioner of Mental Health and Intellectual and
Developmental Disabilities from 1996 until 2019.
Gala enjoyed gardening and working in her yard. She will be remembered for giving hugs and
kisses for all occasions! She believed in studying hard, working hard and saying, "love you."