Shirlee Pauline McCoy Stribling

Shirlee Pauline McCoy Stribling passed away peacefully while in hospice care on September 5, 2026.

Shirlee was born at home in Naples, Texas, on December 7, 1934, and was the 8th of 9 children born to Roger Grady McCoy and Eliza Mosley McCoy. She is preceded in death by her parents, 3 sisters: Mary Mozell White, Mayme Faye Holland, and Patsy Jean Patrick; and 5 brothers: Roger Grady, Jr., Jack Copass, Charles Henry, Benjamin Lewis, and James Randolph, as well as her son, Robert Joseph “Joey” Stribling.

Shirlee was an achiever, holding a license in Real Estate, Social Worker, Notary, a government worker for the IRS and U.S. Postal Service, a Precinct Elections Manager, and elected Alderman/Mayor Pro tem in Puckett, Mississippi for 12 years. She also served as a substitute schoolteacher for 7 years. She was an active church member, a dedicated Christian, an enthusiastic choir member, and taught an Adult Ladies’ Sunday School class for many years.

She was instrumental in building a new Baptist Church in Puckett, putting together a progress photography scrapbook on the day-to-day construction with her husband Bob doing the photography. She wrote the first Constitution and By-Laws for the Church and researched and compiled the Church History from original handwritten notes and Minutes beginning in 1892. This document is on file in the Historical County Records Department in Brandon, Mississippi. This document took two years to complete.

Serving as Mayor Pro tempore, and on the Board of Aldermen in Puckett, was her greatest delight. She served for 12 years in this capacity. Working with the Mayor, she was instrumental in building a new Town Hall, constructing an addition to the Public Library, and organizing an Annual Town Festival for the 4th of July. She also helped to rebuild the Town park, install a Splash Pad, rename the park, and brought the first Rodeo to the town. The first Town Christmas Tree Lighting was organized by Shirlee and became an annual event.

Shirlee served as Secretary for the Rankin County Republican Women for many years. She worked diligently on both the state and national level to get good Congressmen, Representatives and Presidents elected.

For all of her many achievements, she always said she could not have been successful at any of these things without the love, hands on help and support of Bob her husband (the love of her life), and her Faith in God. Her greatest pride and joy were her 5 children, Dena (Ed) Davis, Joey (Rhonda) Stribling , Gina (Frank) Morgan, Tina (Randy) Hubbard and Jay (Debbie) Stribling. In her words, “they were the best thing she had ever done,” and she loved them dearly.

Shirlee is also loved by 13 grandchildren and 14 great-grandchildren.