A Star Is Born

Starling Winfred Flowers was born July 14, 1948 in Greensboro, N.C. to Thomas and

Catherine Flowers and he was the third of six children. Starling transitioned on March

31, 2026.

Affectionately known as Star, he was a trailblazer, fashion pioneer, and devout family

man.

TRAILBLAZER

In the mid-60s, Greensboro, home of the historic Woolworth Civil Rights sit-ins, was

filled with tremendous racial strife, like most of America. Starling was a trailblazer who

inspired many young, gifted and Black teens all over the city to love and cherish the

game of basketball. He was a very talented basketball player who broke the color

barrier. Like baseball great Jackie Robinson, he did it with poise, grace, and dignity,

even in the midst of racial slurs being hurled at him on the basketball court. The

Greensboro Record Newspaper, in 1966, referred to him as “a unique young man...a

speedy Negro who was a starter” on his high school basketball team.

FASHION PIONEER

Along with his phenomenal athleticism, Starling had a love for fashion and music.

Throughout high school, he was known for his flashy outfits. In the late 70s, he

developed the Sterling Capricio Couture Brand and decided to make fashion a fulltime

career after designing outlifts for himself and his band members. As other musicians

started asking for his designs, he began to develop a high-profile International clientele,

which consisted of celebrities, entertainers and athletes. Sterling was a revolutionary

designer, who rarely played it safe. “I have to take chances. That's the only way I know

how to do what I do,” Starling once said. His pioneering couture made the cover of

many prestigious magazines, and he was often profiled in fashion industry media.

DEVOUT FAMILY MAN

God was the head of his life and his family was in the center of it all. Honor and integrity

fueled his soul as he strove to be a man of valor. He treasured every moment with his

wife, Fice and children, Emeka and Mona, capturing the significant events of school and

family time that built a firm foundation on God and family. Starling was extremely close

with his three brothers and two sisters. Despite their differences in age and in

geography, they always found time for the six of them to share life, memories and

reconnect with each other often.

Starling was preceded in death by his father, Thomas Winfred and his mother, Grace

Catherine Flowers. He is survived by his wife, Fice Flowers, and children Emeka

Flowers and Mona Flowers; his brothers, Thomas (Camella-wife), Rai (Maria-wife), Ed

(Kathy-wife); and his sisters Antoinette and Michelle (Anthony Welch-husband) and host of the nieces, nephews, and cousins.

We will truly miss our “Star Child!”

Funeral service will be held Saturday, April 11, 2026, 11:30 a. m. Providence Baptist Church 1301 1106 Tuscaloosa St, Greensboro, NC 27406. Visitation 11:00 a. m.

Burial will follow at Lakeview Memorial Park 3600 N O.Henry Blvd, Greensboro, NC 27405.