1924
Merna
2016
Merna Stratton
October 21, 1924 — February 2, 2016
ARLINGTON -- Merna L. Stratton, 91, "graduated" Tuesday, Feb. 2, 2016. She lavished love on everyone she came in contact with. Now the source of that love she sees face-to-face.
Graveside service: Merna loved her Lord's creation and felt closest to Him outdoors. Her request was for a graveside service with family and close friends attending. Her service was held at 10 a.m. Friday in Emerald Hills Memorial Park in Kennedale with dear friend and Pastor Dr. Jim Burgin officiating.
Memorials: In lieu of flowers, Merna passionately admired the work of Mission Arlington and Mission Metroplex. Please consider contributing to an organization that blesses innumerable people every single day.
Merna was born Oct. 13, 1924, in Green Mountain, Iowa, the younger daughter of John and Alice Shipton. She graduated valedictorian of her high school class at age 16. She enrolled in an elite business school for women in Chicago and graduated from there at age 17. She immediately went to work for a branch of the War Department that had been relocated to Chicago when World War II began. She was vetted by the FBI, which caused quite a stir in Green Mountain and nearby Marshalltown, Iowa.
A year later she followed her heart's desire and entered a pre-med program at Iowa Wesleyan. From there she entered medical school and soon met and married her lifetime love and soulmate, Dr. Richard L. Stratton. Upon his graduation, Dr. and Mrs. Stratton relocated to Cuero, Texas, to join his father in practice. A short time later they opened the Stratton Hospital and Clinic, which functioned until the elder Dr. Stratton retired in the late 1960s.
The Strattons relocated to Arlington in 1969. Dr. Stratton went into practice in Arlington and Merna worked at Northeast Community Hospital in Hurst coordinating intern rotations. Dr. Stratton preceded her in death in 2004.
Merna always loved the field of science and saw the hand of her Creator everywhere -- no doubts, only great conviction!
In addition to her incredibly curious scientific mind, she had a wonderful sense of humor and creative side. She loved to write poetry and songs. She was extraordinary across the board. Her gifts never went to her head. Until her dying day, she embodied humility, integrity and tender love to all the lives she touched.
Survivors: To say her exceptional personality will be missed is woefully inadequate. However, her family and close friends prefer to claim the promise of 1 Thessalonians 4:13 and we will " ... not be ignorant about those who fall asleep or grieve like the rest of men who have no hope." Celebrating her life on earth and now in heaven are her daughters, Debbie Stratton and Cris Woodward; her beloved son-in-law, Dr. Stephen Woodward; niece, Jeri Stubbs of LaGrange; cousin, Denny Anderson of Canyon Lake; nephews and niece, Randy, Nancy, Ryan and Brad Stratton; and a host of loving friends.
Graveside service: Merna loved her Lord's creation and felt closest to Him outdoors. Her request was for a graveside service with family and close friends attending. Her service was held at 10 a.m. Friday in Emerald Hills Memorial Park in Kennedale with dear friend and Pastor Dr. Jim Burgin officiating.
Memorials: In lieu of flowers, Merna passionately admired the work of Mission Arlington and Mission Metroplex. Please consider contributing to an organization that blesses innumerable people every single day.
Merna was born Oct. 13, 1924, in Green Mountain, Iowa, the younger daughter of John and Alice Shipton. She graduated valedictorian of her high school class at age 16. She enrolled in an elite business school for women in Chicago and graduated from there at age 17. She immediately went to work for a branch of the War Department that had been relocated to Chicago when World War II began. She was vetted by the FBI, which caused quite a stir in Green Mountain and nearby Marshalltown, Iowa.
A year later she followed her heart's desire and entered a pre-med program at Iowa Wesleyan. From there she entered medical school and soon met and married her lifetime love and soulmate, Dr. Richard L. Stratton. Upon his graduation, Dr. and Mrs. Stratton relocated to Cuero, Texas, to join his father in practice. A short time later they opened the Stratton Hospital and Clinic, which functioned until the elder Dr. Stratton retired in the late 1960s.
The Strattons relocated to Arlington in 1969. Dr. Stratton went into practice in Arlington and Merna worked at Northeast Community Hospital in Hurst coordinating intern rotations. Dr. Stratton preceded her in death in 2004.
Merna always loved the field of science and saw the hand of her Creator everywhere -- no doubts, only great conviction!
In addition to her incredibly curious scientific mind, she had a wonderful sense of humor and creative side. She loved to write poetry and songs. She was extraordinary across the board. Her gifts never went to her head. Until her dying day, she embodied humility, integrity and tender love to all the lives she touched.
Survivors: To say her exceptional personality will be missed is woefully inadequate. However, her family and close friends prefer to claim the promise of 1 Thessalonians 4:13 and we will " ... not be ignorant about those who fall asleep or grieve like the rest of men who have no hope." Celebrating her life on earth and now in heaven are her daughters, Debbie Stratton and Cris Woodward; her beloved son-in-law, Dr. Stephen Woodward; niece, Jeri Stubbs of LaGrange; cousin, Denny Anderson of Canyon Lake; nephews and niece, Randy, Nancy, Ryan and Brad Stratton; and a host of loving friends.
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