Charles Hudson Stribling

Charles Hudson Stribling was born on December 13, 1931 in Eatonton, Georgia to Lucy Elizabeth Hudson and Warren Dickey Stribling Jr. A master storyteller, "Good-Time Charlie" loved to laugh and entertain friends and family with tall tales and a good joke. One of his proudest accomplishments was having won the Ludlow Porch Liar's Club competition – TWICE! Charlie spent his boyhood making mischief in Eatonton and helping out at Stribling's Garage. A highlight was driving to New York to attend the 1939 World's Fair where he sat on Babe Ruth's lap. After graduating from Eatonton High School in 1948, he entered the Citadel for a year and then transferred to Emory University for a degree in Business Administration. He pledged Phi Delta Theta and made many life long friends there. After graduation in 1952, Charlie joined the Army at Fort Belvoir, Virginia, trained with the 3D Engineer Training Battalion, and served until 1955. He began his sales career with the Certain-Teed Company then spent many years with Donahue Sales Corporation, a major New York-based retail distributor for Talon Zippers. At his send off from Donahue it was said that Charlie was "so good, he could sell the sands of the Sahara." He built a successful independent business working with clients such as Fiskar Scissors and Hancock Fabrics. Charlie and Anna Avil were married in Decatur in 1957 and set out to make a lovely home in Stone Mountain with four children and many friends. Charlie was a dedicated father, attending every wrestling match and coaching street hockey games for his boys. He delighted his daughters by sending them typed letters at camp authored and signed by their horses. Any riotous laughter in the home could be attributed to one of his antics. As empty nesters, Charlie continued to nurture the Vietnamese family that he and Anna had informally adopted. Charles Hudson Stribling, age 83, died peacefully at home in Avondale Estates on May 8th, 2015. His wife Anna Avil Stribling, his sister Bette McCullough, and his brother Warren Dickey Stribling III predecease him. He is survived by: children Ashley McLaughlin (Don) of Birmingham, AL; Suzanna Stribling (Robert Rubin), Robert Stribling, and Reeves Stribling (Cheryl); former son-in-law Robin Whitehead; grandchildren Wesley, Charles and Reed McLaughlin; Lucy, Anna Grace and Alan Whitehead; Jessica Allen, Emily and Sam Stribling; and Jason and Sylvia Stribling. Visitation will be Monday, May 11th from 6 to 8 pm at A.S. Turner & Sons in Decatur. Services will be at Decatur Presbyterian Church on Tuesday, May 12th at 10 am with a graveside service to follow at Decatur Cemetery. The family extends deepest gratitude to Robin Lovelace, Charlie's long-time devoted and loving caregiver, and to Norma Davis and Linda Corothers, for their assistance.

Funeral Home:
A. S. Turner & Sons
2773 North Decatur Road
Decatur, GA
30033