Son of Thomas Joseph Thadius Stribling and Jane Smiley McDonald. Husband of Martha Mariah Kirkland.


The Hamilton Herald-News, Hamilton, Hamilton Co, TX, 14 Jul 1939:

THOMAS EDWIN STRIBLING

THOMAS EDWIN STRIBLING, BLUE RIDGE FARMER AND RANCHMAN, DIED AT HOME

Thomas Edwin Stribling, a man whose notable success as a ranchman and farmer of the Blue Ridge community, was excelled only by the power of his Christian influence, his loyalty to county, family, and friends in the making of an eminent citizen, died at his home on Thursday, July 6, at mid-day. Advanced age and the weakness of ill health suffered for a number of months rendered him physically unable to withstand the serious sickness which brought the end to a life nobly lived from childhood to the sunset.

At the Blue Ridge Baptist Church where Mr. Stribling had worshipped so many years as a member of the congregation, memorial ceremonies conducted in the grandeur of simplicity, were held on Friday afternoon at three o'clock. Rev. Ed Clark, his pastor, assisted by former pastors, Rev. Bradley Allison, Rev. R. H. Gibson, Rev. W. A. Todd, and Rev. John D. Wes, were associated in officiating in the service of the last rites, laudatory to the great Christian leader whose days on earth were a preparation for the home promised when Christ said, "I go to prepare a place for you, that where I am there ye may be also." Songs that he loved were incorporated in the requiem music, and a composition especially favored by him, Where We'll Never Grow Old, was given by Mrs. Alvie Ellis. Mr. Stribling was a Mason in high standing, and many men of the Order were present to honor his memory.

Burial was made in the new I.O.O.F. Cemetery in Hamilton. Grandsons performed the sad duties of pallbearers, the personnel including R. V. Crain, J. E. Crain, Tom Carter Stribling, Joe Hal Stribling, Jesse Earl Pruitt, and Jeff Perry.

Granddaughters and great granddaughters of Mr. Stribling were flower carriers and decorated the altar and grave. They were Frances and Betty Jo Holmes, Mrs. H. M. Holmes, Mrs. W. D. Anderson, Miss Ruby Crain, Mrs. Obie Pearce, Mrs. Jesse Earl Pruitt, Mrs. Jeff Perry.

Mississippi was the native state of Thomas Edwin Stribling. He was born in Neshoba County, December 29, 1850; but came to Hopkins County, Texas in 1867 with his parents, T. J. Stribling and Mrs. Jane McDonald Stribling, both of whom are dead. The family traveled in an ox-wagon drawn by two yokes of animals from Mississippi to Texas, taking a month for the journey. In 1874 T. E. Stribling moved to Coryell County to make his home, and there met and loved Miss Martha M. Kirkland, daughter of Dr. W. W. Kirkland, to whom he was married on February 3, 1875, the late Rev. A. C. Graves performing the holy ceremony. On November 1, 1907, Mr. and Mrs. Stribling moved with their family to Hamilton County to the beautiful home on Blue Ridge, known as the Carter estate, where the couple resided until summoned and reunited in the Home Eternal. Mrs. Stribling preceded her husband in death in 1925, and a son, Neil A. Stribling passed away two years ago. Three children, two daughters and a son died in infancy. Fifty-nine years ago Thomas Edwin Stribling was "born into the Kingdom," being converted under the preaching of A. C. Graves, and by whom he was baptized. He was a pillar in the church body, and his charity, kind association with people, and his staunch adherence to noble principles attracted all who knew him to adopt the plan of life that he had made his guiding star throughout all the years of his Christian citizenship.

T. E. Stribling is survived by three sons and two daughters, W. J. Stribling, J. T. Stribling, E. P. Stribling, Mrs. Amanda Crain, Miss Anna Stribling, all of Blue Ridge; ten grandchildren, eight great grandchildren and one great-great grandchild; one brother, T. W. Stribling, and one sister, Mrs. W. D. Nelson, a half-brother, W. B. Stribling; and a half-sister, Mrs. Lorraine Frost.

A soldierly resignation characterized Mr. Stribling's attitude toward sorrow, physical pain or reverses of any nature, and he was cheerful in association with his family and friends, encouraging them ever onward and upward, and all those who loved him think of him as just having gone on to "to hold the light out at the window of heaven to guide the travelers on who are faithfully, diligently see king the straight and narrow way that leads to life eternal."

Relatives from a distance attending the funeral of Mr. Stribling included Mr. and Mrs. T. W. Stribling and Mrs. Alven Lacy, Mr. and Mrs. John W. Milner and son, Charley; Mrs. John Boyd, Hon. and Mrs. Tom L. Robinson and children, Tom L., Jr., Joe, Harriett, and Bookie; Mr. and Mrs. N. E. Foster, Mr. and Mrs. Knox Lovejoy, Mr. and Mrs. Dock Graves, Mrs. Daphne Lovejoy, Miss Mary Boyd, Mr. and Mrs. W. D. Anderson and children, Bobby Joe and Mary Lou, Mrs. H. M. Holmes and children, Frances, Bettie Jo and Anna Laura; Mrs. Ed Boyd and daughters, Marjorie, and Mrs. Dorothy Trice, and Mrs. Ruby Moncrief; Rev. and Mrs. A. N. Porter; Mrs. Jeannie Lee and daughter Eugenia Lee, Mrs. Felix Boyd, Mrs. Simmons, Lois Simmons, Minnie and Claud Boyd, Wayne and Johnnie Boyd, John W. Boyd, Mr. and Mrs. J. S. Boyd, Mr. and Mrs. T. A. Kirkland and son, Willie Kirkland; Mr. and Mrs. L. Kirkland and daughter, Laura Jean, Miss Eunice Gray, Mr. and Mrs. Dewey Ratton and son, Walter,. The personnel of friends present named Mrs. Tom Graves, Price Graves; Wade Graves, Mr. and Mrs. David Carter, Mr. and Mrs. Matt Pruitt, Miss Grayce Pruitt and Sharon Pruitt, Mrs. Nettie Graves, Mrs. Earl Weathers, Mr. and Mrs. Alvie Ellis, Mrs. W. A. Todd, Mr. and Mrs. Fayette Allison and Bessie, and Deck Lansford.

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1860 Neshoba County, TX
As a nine-year-old lad, Thomas Edwin was enumerated in Township 12 Range 10.


1880 Census, Precinct 3, Hopkins County, TX
Household Gender Age Birthplace
SELF Thos. D. Stribling M 53 South Carolina, United States
WIFE Sarah A. Stribling F 36 Alabama, United States
SON Thos. Stribling M 20 Mississippi, United States
Jno. Stribling M 13 Mississippi, United States
SON Wm. Stribling M 4 Texas, United States
DAU Pearl Stribling F 3 Texas, United States
DAU Charlotte Stribling F 4M Texas, United States
STEP-DAU Jane Mc Leroy F 14 Alabama, United States
Harriett Stribling F 36 Mississippi, United States
Eliza Stribling F 16 Mississippi, United States
Cynthia Stribling F 11 Texas, United States
Nettie Stribling F 5 Texas, United States

1900 Census, Coryell City, Coryell County, TX
Thomas E Stribland M
Spouse Mattie M Stribland F
Child Anna J Stribland F
Child William J Stribland M
Child John T Stribland M
Child Neil A Stribland M
Child Eugene P Stribland M



1910 Census, Hamilton County, TX, Justice Precinct 1

Household Gender Age
Parent Thomas E Stribling M 59y
Parent Martha M Stribling F 59y
Anne J Stribling F 34y
John T Stribling M 27y
Neil A Stribling M 25y
Eugene P Stribling M 20y


1920 Census, Hamilton County, TX
Household Gender Age
Parent Thomas E Stribling M 69y
Parent Martha M Stribling F 69y
Anna J Stribling F 44y
John T Stribling M 36y
Neil A Stribling M 34y


1930 Census, Hamilton County, TX, Precinct 1

Household Gender Age
Parent Thomas E Stribling M 79
Anna J Stribling F 54
John T Stribling M 47
Neil A Stribling M 44