Document Type
Finding Aid
Publication Date
9-8-2026
Inclusive Dates--Span
1951-2020
Inclusive Dates--Bulk
1951-2020
Scope and Content Note
These papers include writings, sermons, A/V materials, and other items from the life and ministry of James Portis Ribble.
Biographical Note
The following biographical note is excerpted from the Dignity Memorial obituary website: “Our beloved father, James Portis Ribble, went to be with his Lord on July 30th, 2020 at the age of 89. He was born July 23rd, 1931 in Graham, Texas to O.C. and Ruth Ribble. He had an older adopted brother, Sam, one younger brother, Orville, and one sister Leota. He formed his early childhood attachments in the small rural community churches of South Bend and Millsap, Texas. His mother must have felt the calling for him, for she named him Portis after a young man she knew at college who was a good speaker. During the depression, when he was five years old, she paid five dollars a week and drove him round trip about thirty miles for speech lessons with Miss Lela De Roch.
When Portis was in the ninth grade he began traveling with brother N.O. White to Arkansas and Oklahoma during the summers and would lead singing for the meetings that Brother White held.
In 1946, his family moved to a farm north of Weatherford. Portis graduated from Weatherford High School in 1948 and went on to attend Weatherford College for 2 years on a ministerial scholarship given by the Methodist Church. He was ordained to the ministry on October 26th, 1948 by Brother N.L. Clark. He graduated from Weatherford College in 1950, and began traveling with Brothers Alva Johnson and Van Bonneau, conducting meetings with them and leading singing. The biblical education he received from these men became the foundation of his ministry for the rest of his life.
He began his career as a full-time minister on April 1st, 1951 in Amarillo Texas making $200 a month. He married Dorothy Edwards in 1952 while working with the Forest Hill Church in Amarillo where he preached until 1955. He then moved his family to San Angelo, Texas to work with the Northside Church. In 1959, he moved his family back to Amarillo to start a new church, Anna Street Church of Christ, which opened in August of 1959 and he remained there for nine years. During that time, he attended classes at West Texas State University where he received both his bachelor's degree and his master's degree. For five years while at the Anna Street Church, he delivered a televised Christian message which aired every Sunday morning on the church sponsored program called Christ For the World We Sing. He moved his family back to San Angelo in 1968 to work with the West Angelo Church of Christ and in 1969, he and Bill Leach established what would become the Southwest Bible Institute.
He became the president of SBI in 1978 and held that position until his death. Portis trained many young men to preach the word who are still preaching today. He gained certification from the National Christian Counselor Association, and was, for several years, a member of the Ministerial Association. He served as president of that organization for one of those years. He has been instrumental in training chaplains for work at the Shannon Hospital, and was also active with the Tom Green County Jail Ministry, baptizing numerous souls there. In 1992, he began work again with the Northside Congregation until his “official” retirement in July of 1996. During his life, he held gospel meetings in 12 different states, and the highlight of his career was being able to minister in the Ukraine in January 1992, at which time 70 people were baptized during the campaign in Kiev.
One of his biggest enjoyments was flying his own Cherokee 140 which he bought in the early seventies. He had over 600 flying hours before he eventually sold the plane to a local doctor.
He and Dorthy had three children and their marriage lasted some thirty years, but ended in the mid 1980’s. In June of 1995, he married Helen Malechek Robison, who became the love of his life. Portis and Helen traveled together to Saudi Arabia, Egypt, Alaska, Thailand, Hawaii, Australia, the Greek Islands, New Zealand and more until their health prevented further travels. He always said that Helen was his most wonderful traveling companion. They celebrated twenty-five years together in June of this year.
He continued to preach regularly at area churches, even traveling to Eldorado and Weatherford monthly. He never could retire fully. We estimate the number of souls he brought to Christ to be in the thousands, and although he regretted not keeping better records, to him it never really mattered who baptized a person. He always humbly acknowledged that it may have been the teaching of someone else that led a person to Christ.
His children and grandchildren were captivated by his many stories and his humor. There is so much more to his life than what can be conveyed in these few words. He loved and was loved by many. He lived a long and fulfilling life. His headstone says, “He loved life, and saw good days,”—his own words. Upon learning that his illness was terminal, he said, “I lived my whole life for this.” And he did.
Source: Dignity Memorial, “Obituary: James Portis Ribble,” https://www.dignitymemorial.com/obituaries/san-angelo-tx/james-ribble-9292493. Accessed 10 September 2026.
Donor Note
Tim Bench
Arrangement
The processors retained the original order as received.
Content List
See PDF finding aid for content listing.
Language
ENGLISH
Extent of Collection
12 linear feet (8 boxes)
Manuscript Number
Center for Restoration Studies Manuscripts #626
Physical Location
Center for Restoration Studies
Preferred Citation
[identification of item], [file or folder name], James Portis Ribble Papers, 1951-2020. Center for Restoration Studies MS #626. Abilene Christian University Special Collections and Archives, Brown Library. Abilene Christian University, Abilene, TX.
Use Restrictions
Open to researchers. Contact Abilene Christian University Special Collections and Archives to make an appointment.
Processing Status
Processed
Finding Aid created by
Rebecca Blake, Amanda Dietz, Mac Ice
Comments
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