Graveside services for Marijo (Josie) Barton Sterling, age 91, of Lubbock, will be held Friday, July 6th at 10 am in Resthaven Memorial Park. A memorial service will follow at 11 am at Carillon's Neil Chapel in Lubbock with Mr. Jim Powell officiating.
Josie was born September 19, 1926, Lamb County, Earth, Texas to Robert Eli and Nellie Pearl Barton. She attended Earth Springlake Schools, and graduated from Baylor University in 1948 with a BA degree in speech/radio.
Josie met the love of her life, Curtis J. Sterling on a blind date in 1947. Curtis and Josie married on December 19, 1948 and lived in Brownfield, Texas from 1950-1963. They owned the Brownfield News until it was sold in 1962. While in Brownfield they were blessed with 2 daughters, Suzie Sterling King and Janice Sterling Gaunt. The family moved to Lubbock where Curtis became a stock broker for Rauscher Pierce.
In addition to being a full time homemaker and mother, Josie was actively involved in her church and community. Her community activities included president of both Mackenzie Junior High and Coronado High school P.T.A., Kappa Alpha Theta Mother’s Club, Sick Children’s Clinic BOD, Sherrick Retirement Home BOD, president and member, 43 year member and president of Chapter CF P.E.O. As a lifelong Baptist she was a member and Sunday school teacher at First Baptist Church of Lubbock. After transferring to Second Baptist Church, she served as deacon and Sunday school teacher for many years.
Survivors include Suzanne Sterling King and her husband Dr. Robert King of Lubbock and Janice Sterling Gaunt and her husband Tom Gaunt of Dallas. Josie’s grandchildren include Sterling and Lindsey King, Kristan and Kyle Nevins, Gregory King, Brynn Isom, Wesley and Tytus Laughton, and Blair and Clayton Isom. Survivors also include 14 great grandchildren.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be sent to The Lubbock Food Bank, The Foundation of Carillon, or Second Baptist Church of Lubbock.
Online condolences may be offered at www.resthavenfuneralhome.com.
