Mrs. Barbara Ruth Stribling

Barbara Walker Stribling was born on August is, 1945 to the union of Theodore B. Walker and Lillie A (Criswell) Walker in Springfield, Arkansas. She was the youngest of eight children born to this union. Barbara, affectionately known as "Bobbie", received her formal education in the Conway County Educational System, attending Holly Springs Elementary School and Menifee High School. She confessed a hope in Christ at an early age and united with the Holly Springs Baptist Church in Springfield, Arkansas under the leadership of Reverend I. O. Hill. She later united with Northwest Baptist Church in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. Bobbie showed a love for singing at a young age and developed her talents in her school choir. She had dreams of a professional singing career and thought of moving to California to become a star. However, God (and her parents) had different plans for Bobbie and in 1964 she moved from Springfield, Arkansas to Milwaukee, Wisconsin to join her older siblings who had already established themselves in the city. Milwaukee is where she met and later married her husband of 53 years, Al (Allen) Stribling Jr. They were married on August 12, 1967 and AI, like everyone who has ever known Bobbie, quickly recognized that Bobbie was an extremely loving and genuinely kind person who had a knack for finding the good in everyone. Their union brought forth two beautiful children, Kim and Allen III. She was loved fiercely by her children and grandchildren who will never forget the melody of her sweet and soothing songs or her loving, warm hugs. She enjoyed spending time with her immediate and extended family and made many pilgrimages back to Arkansas with her Siblings and children. The trip was not complete without a stop to get a chicken loaf and another stop to stock up on peanut patties. Bobbie was always a gentle and tender soul, quick to acts of kindness and slow to anger. One thing for sure, the only time she ever made her family upset is if she ever showed up to a family event without her potato salad. We will miss her cooking for sure. She loved chatting with her family members near and far, her daily walks (which kept her in good condition for dancing at the family events) and she especially loved time with her children and grandchildren. Bobbie gave back to her church community through volunteering at the church day care and welcome center. She touched many lives and will be severely missed by all. Bobbie was employed at Briggs & Stratton Corporation for 30 years as an assembly line worker until her retirement on June 30,1997. Bobbie found peace in the arms of the Lord on March 26, 2021. She was preceded in death by her parents, Theodore B. and Linie A. Walker, stepdaughter, Carl as Yvette Wilson, brothers, Rodger A. Walker, Floyd D. Walker and Chester A. Walker; sisters, Willa L. Payne and Bernice Egerson, brother-in-law, Shelton Stribling, and sisters-in-law, Dorothy Lewis, Patty Burrell and Mary Robinson To forever cherish her memory, she leaves her husband, Al Stribling, [r.: daughter, Kimberly (Anthony) Ousley; son, Allen III (Sarah) Stribling; eight (8) grandchildren, Christen Mabry, Ciana Greenup, Evett Childs, Nasir Childs, Frederick Wilson, [r., Frederickah Wilson, Allen Stribling IV, and Nigel Stribling; nine (9) great grandchildren; sister, Zora L. Watkins; brother, Leonard B. Walker; sisters-in-law, Barbara (Elvin) Bracken, Donna (Johnny) Barron and Vashti (Frederick) Bralton: brother-in-law, Alfred Stribling; special niece, Helen Morris; and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins and friends.

Mrs. Barbara Ruth Stribling

August 18, 1945 - March 26, 2021