Julia M. Stribling

Julia Murray Stribling, 82, of Rogers, AR, passed from her earthly life into eternal life with her Lord and Savior Jesus Christ on Tuesday, February 15, 2011 at Circle of Life Hospice House in Bentonville.

Julia was born December 28, 1928 in Memphis, TN, to John McLeod Murray and Juanita Brame Murray. She graduated from Central High School in Memphis where she was active in many organizations, including 21 Club and Delta Apha Delta Sorority. She was also high school fraternity sweetheart. Whole attending college at the University of Mississippi she was a member of Chi Omega sorority. Julia met her future husband, Bill Stribling, on a blind date to the M Club picnic.

Before Julia married, she worked in Washington D. C. for the Department of Defense. She also worked as a flight attendant for Delta Airlines and hosted many notables including the Ole Miss football team and Adlai Stevenson.

She married the love of her life, Bill Stribling, on May 19, 1956, at Bellevue Baptist Church in Memphis, TN by Dr. Robert G. Lee. Julia joined Bill as a homemaker while he played football for the New York Giants, Philadelphia Eagles and the Toronto Argonauts. After Bill’s retirement from football, they later moved to Rogers, AR where Bill worked for International Paper Co. Bill retired from IP and started a new company, Stribling Packaging Inc. where Julia worked as their secretary.

Julia loved serving others and was very active in her church and community. She led Sunday School classes at First Baptist Church, Rogers, as well as small groups for Bible Study Fellowship. She helped begin the kindergarten program at First Baptist Church, Rogers. Serving in Vacation Bible School meant a lot to Julia because she was saved as a child while attending Vacation Bible School. Being the southern belle that she was, Julia loved giving bridal and baby showers for her friends and church members and acquired the title of “the shower lady”. Julia served as president of Rogers High School P.T.A and was once homeroom parent for all three of her childrens’ classrooms at the same time. She also led a troop of Girl Scout Brownies.

She was preceded in death by her husband of 50 years, Bill, on August 22, 2006; her parents, John and Juanita Murray; and three sisters, Margie Dean Skinner, Dorothy Murray and Ann Davis.

Julia is survived by her sister Maxine and G. H. of Memphis, TN and her brother John and Betsy Murray of Little Rock, AR.

She will be greatly missed by all her family including her children, Susan and Patrick Sbarra, Ginger and Kim Campbell and Bill and Cathy Stribling, all of Rogers, Ark. As well as her seven granddaughters, Kate and Allie Sbarra, Christian and Leigh Leigh Campbell, and J.J., Shannon and Annie Stribling.

Funeral services will be held at 3 p.m., Saturday, February 19, 2011 at First Baptist Church Rogers’ new location at 3364 W. Pleasant Grove Rd in Rogers, AR.

Visitation will be from 5 to 7 p.m. Friday, February 18, 2011 at Rollins Funeral Home in Rogers, AR.

Memorial may be made to First Baptist Church, 626 W. Olive St, Rogers, AR 72756; Alzheimer’s Research at 1 Intrepid Sq, New York, NY 10036 or Circle of Life Hospice in NW Arkansas at 901 Jones Rd, Springdale, AR 72762.

Online condolences can be made at www.rollinsfuneral.com.