Stella Law Stripling

Stella Law Stripling, wife of the late Robert Jackson “Jack” Stripling, Jr., passed away peacefully surrounded by her children and caregivers on Saturday, February 28, 2026 in Litchfield, SC. She was born on December 31, 1934 in Florence, SC to the late John McDonald Law and the late Dorothy Ellis Law Wells.

Raised in Greenville, SC, Stella graduated from Greenville High School, where she was a cheerleader. She attended Hollins College and Furman University. Her best times were spent with her devoted husband of 52 years at their beach house, traveling, golfing, walking, and going to church and dinner. Stella also loved working in her yard, swimming, and playing tennis. She was a member of the Junior League of Greenville, the Debutante Club of Greenville, The Assembly, the Daughters of the American Revolution, Christ Church Bible Study and Altar Guild, and The McKissick Book Club.

Stella is survived by her daughters, Stella Law “Lawly” Pate Ford (Jeepy), Dorothy “Dotsy” Parker Pate, and Beckham “Becky” Pate Dunbar (Jimmie); sons, Wallace Fennell “Fen” Pate Jr. (Dawn) and John McDonald “Jack” Pate; and stepdaughters, Dawne Stripling Gannon (Mike), Harriett “Bunnie” Stripling Hunter (Bill), and Virginia “Ginny” Stripling Smith (Greg).

She is also loved and survived by 17 grandchildren and step-grandchildren, Jeep Ford (Mari), Pate Ford (Caroline), Stella Ford Dawson (Andrew), Allston Pate Shore (Royall), Emerson Pate, Lyle Bridgers, Sherrod Bridgers Law (Jeremy), Ellis Bridgers, Becka Dunbar Clayton (Jonathan), Mac Dunbar, Pate Dunbar, Sara Dill (Justin), Nick Gannon (Nicole), Allie Hunter, Austin Hunter, Bryan Smith (Zoe), and Coleman Smith; ten great-grandchildren, two step-great-grandchildren, and eight nieces and nephews.

Along with her parents and beloved husband, Stella was predeceased by a sister, Dorothy Law Martin, and a grandson, Jackson Stripling Dunbar.

The family would like to say a special thank you for the kind, loving attention from her wonderful caregivers.

Graveside Service will be 12:00 PM on Friday, March 6, 2026 in Christ Church Episcopal Cemetery, 10 N. Church St, Greenville, SC 29601.

Memorial Service will be 11:00 AM on Saturday, March 7, 2026 at Prince George Winyah Parish Church, 300 Broad St, Georgetown, SC 29440.

In remembrance of Stella, contributions may be made to Christ Church Episcopal, Prince George Winyah Parish Church, or the charity of one’s choice.

Her children rise up and call her blessed; her husband praises her as well. Proverbs 31:28