M. M. "Mack" Stripling

M. M. Stripling died in Nacogdoches at the age of 93 years on September 23, 2006. Morgan Malcolm "Mack" Stripling was born in Nacogdoches, Texas on September 8, 1913 to Sam B. Stripling, Sr. and Elizabeth Wright Stripling, both of whom predeceased him. He was also preceded in death by his beloved stepmother, Josie Wright Stripling, and by his brothers, William B. "Ben" Stripling, Sr. and Sam B. Stripling, Jr. He married Nettamae "Ned" Taylor Stripling on February 17, 1946 in Nacogdoches. Ned predeceased Mack on February 7, 2005. They have a son, Craig Stripling, and a daughter, Josephine "Jody" Stripling McLean. Stripling leaves in addition to his children, a daughter-in-law, Wendy Schuler Stripling, and a son-in-law, Dr. Michael R. Mclean, a granddaughter, Morgan Elisabeth McLean, and a grandson, Sam Stripling. He is also survived by his sister, Dr. Elisabeth Stripling Crawford, his sister, Jane Stripling Young Gribble, sister-in-law, Wynne Dickerson and her son, Jack Dickerson, nephews, John Stripling Young, Sam Stripling Crawford, and W. B. "Bill" Stripling, Jr.; and nieces, Mary Stripling Duncan, Lynda Young Pool and Nancy Crawford McEwen. Mack Stripling attended Nacogdoches public schools, Stephen F. Austin State College, and the University Of Texas School of Law. He was licensed as a Texas attorney in 1937. Stripling was on the first busload of soldiers leaving Nacogdoches for service in the U.S. Army in October 1940 and he served until January 1946 attaining the rank of Captain. Stripling served in numerous capacities during his career including terms before and after World War II as Nacogdoches City Attorney, Mayor of Nacogdoches, local attorney, President and retired director of Fredonia State Bank, president of the Nacogdoches County Chamber of Commerce, Member of the Board of Regents of Stephen F. Austin State University, President of the Stephen F. Austin State University Ex-Students Association, former director of Nacogdoches Abstract and Title Company, former director of Texas Municipal Retirement League System, an original founder of Oak Manor Nursing Home, and on numerous other boards and councils. He was the senior (emeritus) member of the Nacogdoches Boosters Club at the time of his death, having succeeded his brother Sam as the senior emeritus member of that Club, which is the oldest men's civic club in Nacogdoches. He received numerous awards and commendations for various efforts and activities including being Texas Delegate to the National Democratic Party Convention in 1964 in Atlantic City, New Jersey, Outstanding Stephen F. Austin Alumnus Award recipient, Texas Road Hand Award, Heritage Festival Hall of Fame, and Chamber of Commerce Citizen of the Year. He was especially proud of his efforts over 50 years ago to effect the widening of North Street the extent of its length so as to provide a modern and sufficient thoroughfare through the town. Stripling was extremely progressive in his outlook and he was exceptionally community minded, having been forward thinking and positively motivated in spearheading many civic endeavors. Stripling was a lifetime member of First Baptist Church of Nacogdoches. He was a former member of Lions Club and Rotary Club. He was a selfless life well lived, and he was more mindful of the rights and feelings of others than his own. Services will be 2:00 pm. Tuesday, September 26, 2006 at First Baptist Church, officiated by the Reverend Brad Haile, followed by burial at Oak Grove Cemetery in Nacogdoches. Visitation will be from 5:00 P.M. to 6:30 P.M., Monday, September 25, 2006 at Cason Monk-Metcalf Funeral Home. Active pallbearers will be Campbell Cox, Sam Stripling Crawford, John Stripling Young, William B. Stripling, Jr., Gordon Lewis, Thad Floyd, Bill Pedersen, Jr., James Johnson, Doug Swearingen, Roger VanHorn, A. L. Mangham, Jr., and Judge Campbell Cox, II. Honorary pallbearers will be Dr. Michael McLean, Dr. Thomas Duncan, Dr. Stewart Barron, Dr. Sam Gandy, Dr. B. W. Henderson, Roy Blake, Sr., Judge Jack Pierce, John Wallace, Jim Kingham, Tom Wright and George Boss. The family wishes to express thanks and appreciation to Mack's caregivers, Jean Lathon, Jo Ann Deckard, Patricia Brown, Marilyn Moore, and Ellen Gaskin, and especially to his long time physician and friend, Dr. Bill W. Henderson. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to First Baptist Church Building Fund, 411 North Street, Nacogdoches, Texas, 75961, or to the Mack and Ned Stripling Nacogdoches High School Alumni Scholarship Fund, 222 North Mound Street, Nacogdoches, Texas, 75961. Cason Monk-Metcalf Funeral Directors.