Jean Athon Stripling

Jean Athon Stripling, age 87, of 2001 South Lee Street Americus, passed away on December 24, 2024 at Perfect Care. Funeral services will be held on Saturday, December 28, 2024 at 3:00 PM at Central Baptist Church in Americus with Dr. Brian Myers officiating.  The family will greet friends before the service, beginning at 1:30PM.  Private burial will be in Sunset Memorial Gardens. 

Born Carol Jean Athon on October 16th, 1937, at the home of her great-grandmother Ellis in the county line community of Macon County. The daughter of the late Eugene Millard Athon and Mary Oliver Athon. She was raised on the family farm in Schley County until the age of 9 when she moved with her mother and younger brother to Americus upon the death of her father.

Mrs. Stripling graduated from Americus High School in 1955 and Georgia Southwestern College now State University in 1957. She began her career as an operator at Southern Bell Telephone in 1955, before transferring to the business office in 1959 and served for 38 years as a service representative. After retirement from Southern Bell, she worked another 20 years with Sumter Electric in the business office. 

Mrs. Stripling was a former member and past president of the Americus Civinettes, serving as the first district Governor of the South Georgia Civinettes. She was also former member and past president of the Sumter Shrine Club Camelettes. A lifelong interest in genealogy started with her grandmother Athon led down many paths in the ancestry of not only her immediate family but extended families as well. She and her son spent many hours searching after his retirement. She was active in the Azalea Garden Club for a period of time and enjoyed gardening and growing her prized flowers. 

She was a person of strong faith, reading her Bible daily. She often encouraged others through scripture readings. A member of Central Baptist Church, and the Silver Tones singers. She attended church online as it became difficult for her to go in person. She also attended First Baptist Church utilizing the van from Magnolia Manor on a regular basis. 

She married the late J. D. Stripling, Jr, in 1959 and they raised their son in a loving and Christian home. They were married 59 years at the time of his death. 

She is survived by her son Jay (Sarah) Stripling of Cuthbert GA; her brother, Ken (Cherryl) Athon of LaGrange GA; niece, Dawn Athon (Rob) Zielinski of Seattle, WA; nephew, Ken (Catherine) Athon, Jr. of LaGrange GA; Like a daughter, Laura (Jimmy) Faircloth of Americus. 

Strip's nieces and nephew, Carlene Butler of Lake Martin AL, Judy (Nolan) Sigmon of Newnan, Georgia, and Don King of Lake Martin, AL. 

Known as Jean-Jean to her great-nieces and nephews Katie and Jacob Zielinski, Oliver and Caroline Athon; Her special grand and great-grandchildren, Garrett (Jeri Ann) Faircloth, and their children, Wells and Hazel, Christy (Scott) Barry and their children, Livvy and Beau; Numerous other great and great-great nieces and nephews also survive, as well as close cousins.