Josephine Norton Stripling

Josephine Norton Stripling, 78, of Leary, GA passed away Sunday, March 1, 2026. Graveside funeral services will be conducted Wednesday, March 4, 2026 at 2:00 p.m. at Leary City Cemetery. Rev. Allen Norton will officiate.

Born July 13, 1947 in Cuthbert, GA, Josephine Stripling worked as a secretary for the Department of Transportation after graduating from technical college, where she met her husband of 59 years, Charles Stripling, who passed away in November of last year. She started working as the city clerk of Leary in 1971 and served the town for 38 years before retiring in August of 2009.

Josephine enjoyed cooking and baking and was known for her delicious desserts. She was a member of Leary Baptist Church and enjoyed weekly Bible study classes, sewing club, and spending time with family and friends.

Josephine was preceded in death by her parents, Harvey and Beatrice Norton; her husband, Charles Lamar Stripling Sr.; brothers-in-law David Stripling, Bobby Stripling and William Stripling; sisters-in-law Doris Tillman, Judy Dunn, Faye Wingate and Mildred Stripling; nephews Charlie Phillips, Andy Stripling and Lynn Tillman; and her niece Cornelia Kent.

Survivors include her daughter, Sonja Stripling Stroyls of Leary, and her son, Charles "Chuck" Lamar Stripling Jr. (Edie) of Edison; brothers Buford Norton (Marilyn) of Albany, GA and Bobby Norton (Astrid) of Leary, GA sister-in-law Ann Stripling of Moultrie, GA; brother-in-law, Dr. Banks Wingate ; nieces and nephews Alan Norton (Devonna), Lori Stripling (Eric), Karen Sanderson (Tommy), Joy Phillips, Gina Dismuke (Marty), Cyndi Grimard, James Dunn, Melissa Martinez (Jimmy), Carol James (Gene) and Terrell Stripling (Julie)