Rev. Josh Stripling

Rev. Josh Stripling was on the 30th of June 1940 to the late Doss Stripling Jr. and the late Freddie Lee Williams Stripling. Raised in Hawkinsville, GA, Rev. Stripling was the 2nd child of Freddie Lee Stripling. He had four siblings. His two surviving siblings are Josephine Stripling (East Point, GA) and Sandra Jones Stripling (Ormand Beach, FL). Deceased siblings of Rev. Stripling include his brother and sister-in-law, O'Neal (Sylvia) Stripling and Juliette Stripling Austin. Also preceding him in death are first wife, Ruby West Stripling; two of his children Denetrice C. Stripling and Geronny M. Stripling; and son-in-law, Craig A. Morris.

Rev. Stripling was educated in the Pulaski County School District. Following the death of his mother Freddie, both his grandfather and grandmother raised him on the family farm in Hawkinsville, GA.

In 1975, Rev. Stripling moved to the Atlanta Metropolitan area to make a new life. He was quite the entrepreneur and often took on many ventures in life. From being a distinguished chef, a truck driver, and then owning his own janitorial service, Bri's Cleaning Service, he always used his hands to work. In June of 2002, he married Rev. Dr. Ann Bowles-Striplin.

In October of 1982, Rev. Stripling was licensed and ordained for the work of Ministry by Bishop Miles. E. Fowler and the Big Miller Grove Missionary Baptist church. Rev. Stripling's ministry tenure registered him as an Evangelist, Teacher, and Pastor. Often, Rev. Stripling served as a minister, an Elder, or as an Assistant Pastor for several churches in Atlanta, including Antioch Baptist Church, Big Miller Grove Missionary Baptist Church, Faith Tabernacle Deliverance Church, One Accord Community Church, and Unity Fellowship Church. In April of 1997, he founded the Oneway Church of God in Christ, Inc. As senior pastor, he led many food and clothing drives for at-risk youth and the elderly in downtown Decatur, GA. In the early 1990s, Rev. Stripling could be heard on WYZE 1480 AM every Saturday evening sharing the gospel and speaking of God's unmerited grace.

Rev. Stripling's cherished legacy will continue through his wife, Dr. Ann Bowles-Striplin. His daughters, LaMarion R. Morris, Arlevia Gates, and Tsheika (Royal) Yates. His sons, Anthony Stripling, Eric (Felita) Bryant, Adrian (Yunna) Stripling, and Lamario (Lakesha) Stripling. Daughter-in-Law, Betty Stripling. Grandsons, Travis Stripling, Rehnquist (LaCole) and Henderson Wright, Michael, James (Konei), and Brandon (Kari) Morris, LaKazs, LaKourtney, and LaKameron Bryant, Tyree and Anthony J. Stripling, Andrew and Joseph Stripling, Antwoin and Antonio Gates, and Keyante Green. Granddaughters, Nekisha Stripling-Quinn, Raven Dunn, Jessica and Ashley Stripling, Brianna-Renee Cotton, Jon-Nay Haws, Chloe and Kayla Stripling, and Breyana Green. Great-grandchildren, Trevon, Jayce, Jaleah, and Javon Stripling, Tarecia Davis, Tyree and Kristian Thomas, Jazmyne Dunn, Haley Bowe, Master Delva, Vonnie Scott, LaNaiya, Rehnquist, Gabrielle, Melody, Promise, Hope, Isiah, Jade, and LaTaya Henderson, Malakai, Aaliyah, Olivia, and Alexis Morris, Jayden Ashmon, Nova Stripling, Aubrielle Willett, TaKorie Daniels, Lavante, Anaila, and Lyla Bryant, Aamir Carter, and Denetrice Cotton. Nieces: Audrey and Katherine Stripling, Brenda Stevens, and Monika Middleton. Nephew, Jimmy Singleton. Special friends, Willie Mae Derring, and Vera Horton Stripling. Very special first cousins, Tracy (Alfredia) Williams, Clifford "Sugg" Stillwell and Oradean "Dean" Chastain, along with a host of great-nieces, great-nephews, and cousins whom he has profoundly impacted.

The family of Rev. Stripling acknowledges the extraordinary efforts of Tracy and Alfredia Williams, as well as the staff of both Piedmont Fayetteville Hospital and Brightmoor Hospice Care at Southern Regional Medical Center.