Krystal Joi Starks

Krystal Joi Starks was born on April 7, 1982, in Urbana, Illinois, to Carrie J. Starks of Champaign, Illinois, and Kenneth Williams of Memphis, Tennessee. She passed away peacefully on October 1, 2026, at her home in the Atlanta area, surrounded by loved ones.

Raised in Champaign, Illinois, Krystal graduated from Centennial High School and later studied at Southern Illinois University. After welcoming her first daughter, she devoted her time to raising her family. She worked as a healthcare technician at Manor Care and Carle Foundation Hospital before moving to the Atlanta area in 2017. There, she worked at the Cobb County Sheriff’s Office as an accountant—a role she truly loved.

Wherever she worked, coworkers quickly became friends. She knew how to get down to business, but she also knew how to make everyone smile, even on the hardest days. She was easy to talk to, quick with a joke, and firm in her belief that being on time meant being early.

Above all, Krystal loved her daughters, Ciara and Mia. She would do anything for her girls, and her love could be felt in both the big moments and the everyday ones, including time spent cooking together and watching Martin reruns. Jamaica was her favorite travel destination, and she dreamed of taking them there to experience it together.

Family and friendship were central to Krystal’s life. She cherished her daily three-way phone calls with her mother Carrie and aunt Keke, loved her siblings, and adored her nieces and nephew: Gionna, Seven, and Soup. She held her favorite cousins, Victoria Ashley, and Marion III, close to her heart. She treasured her longtime high school friendships with Porsha Winfrey and Amber Kinard Holzhauer, along with the dear friendships she shared with Latoria Jake and Sinéad Campos.

Those who knew Krystal knew exactly whom to call for budgeting advice. She spoke often about the importance of savings, planning, and being prepared. Her love of organization extended to her home, where storage bins and her trusty label maker always had a purpose. She hated clutter and regularly donated to Goodwill, offering this advice: “If you haven’t touched it in six months, go ahead and let someone else use it.”

Krystal worked hard and believed in enjoying her time off. Whether she was relaxing at home, hiking in nature, or enjoying a resort, she valued the company she kept. Chicago was her favorite city for its food and views. At home, she enjoyed watching Big Brother and The Real Housewives of Atlanta. Though she generally preferred reality television, she made exceptions for holiday rom-coms with her daughters and beloved Disney movies. She also loved giraffes and collected them throughout her home.

Krystal spoke her mind, and you never had to wonder where she stood. She valued honesty, integrity, independence, and hard work. Yet she also gave people grace, often considering what someone might be going through during a difficult moment. To her, being a good person and spending quality time together mattered far more than money or material things.

Krystal is survived by her daughters, Ciara Starks and Mia Duncan; her parents, Carrie J. Starks and Kenneth Williams; her sister, Kenjee Delaney; her brothers, Kenneth Williams Jr., Gary Williams, and Antonio Bigham; her grandmother, Lulu H. Ceasar of Champaign, Illinois; her uncle, Marion W. Starks Jr. (Camille), of Tampa, Florida; her aunt, Kyra M. Nixon (Timothy), of Rantoul, Illinois; and her beloved extended family and dear friends. She was preceded in death by her aunt, Janet L. Jefferson; her grandfather, Edward J. Jefferson; and her step-grandfather, Nathaniel Ceasar.

A Celebration of Life service will begin at 4:00 PM on October 10, 2026, at West Cobb Funeral Home and Crematory, 2480 Macland Rd, Marietta, GA 30064. The family will receive friends beginning at 3:00 PM, with a meal immediately following the service. Family and friends are invited to come together to share memories and celebrate Krystal's vibrant life. Honoring Krystal’s wishes, guests are encouraged to come comfortably and as they are. There is no required attire or color. Black was Krystal’s favorite color, and anyone wishing to wear it in her honor is welcome to do so.

Toward the end of her life, supporting myeloma research became especially meaningful to Krystal. She also cared deeply about the financial challenges faced by people managing illness. In lieu of flowers, those wishing to honor her memory may consider a donation to the Multiple Myeloma Research Foundation.