Leroy Strong

The Exodus of one’s falling asleep is like an honorable discharge from a long warfare. The reward at the end of the road occurs when the traveler is welcomed home. Today, we are helping to celebrate Leroy's homegoing ceremony. Leroy was born Sept. 27, 1938, in Kingstree, SC to Sallie Wallace Strong and Jessie “Jim” Strong. He was the third child of six.

 At an early age he accepted Jesus Christ at St. Paul Methodist Church. Leroy attended public schools in Kingstree and in 1957 graduated from Tomlinson High. He moved to New York City, with his brother Olin, later that year.  He joined the army in 1959 and served in Germany during the time of tension between East and West Germany and the building of the Berlin Wall. After his service, Leroy moved back to the Bronx and his brother opened a store while he worked at UPS. He eventually moved to Brooklyn with his best friend, Joseph Fulton and they began driving yellow cab in NYC and continued for many years. During this time, Leroy met a smart and sassy little lady named Annie Mae Wilson, from Lake City, SC. They grew fond of each other and fell in love and were married on Sept. 9, 1965. Leroy was smart himself and sometime later, attended Medgar Evers College in Brooklyn for 2 years. Roy and Annie diligently saved their money and bought a house on Long Island. They lived in Long Beach, NY for many years. Leroy gave up driving yellow cab and began working as a taxi dispatcher at JFK Airport until his retirement in 1997. While in Long Beach, the family became members of Mt. Carmel Baptist Church and sang in the choirs. Years later, they joined Shiloh Baptist Church and remained. After retirement. Leroy and Ann were able to travel more with their very good friends, the Fultons and the Jacksons, as well as many others. And Aunt Liz was always right there with them, she loved traveling just as much! Leroy and Annie left NY in 2003 to move to Florence, SC. They found a church home in New Ebenezer Baptist Church. They were very happy to be back in the south with their family and friends. Leroy always had a love for farming, since a young boy, and his brother Daniel and he farmed in Kingstree.  Leroy sold the fruits and vegetables in Kingstree and was known as the “Vegetable Man” He also built a grape orchard and sold muscadine grapes to customers to make wine. Farming gave him so much joy!  

Most people desire success in life, and they do it in various ways. However, for Leroy Strong, the pinnacle of success is to hear the welcome voice of the Lord say, “WELL DONE “.  On June 8, 2022, Leroy answered the summon from his Heavenly Father. He was preceded in death by his parents, Jessie and Sallie Strong ; wife, Annie Mae Wilson Strong; daughter, Rosalind Strong-Finch; and siblings,  Olin Strong, Daniel Strong, Rosa Wright and Mary Grant. 

Those left to cherish fond memories: a son, Rex (Sheilah) Strong of Wood Ridge, NJ; daughter, Yvette Strong-Reid of Florence, SC; grandchildren, Dara Finch of Columbia, SC, and Alex and Sean Reid of Florence, SC; sister, Henrietta Strong of East Point, GA;  sisters-in-law, Agnes Strong of Newport News, VA, Helena Holmes of Landing, NJ, Christine (Kenneth) Peguese, Mary Wilson, and Roy Lee Wilson all of Lake City, SC, and Teronal Wilson of Columbia, SC; brothers- in- laws,  James Wright of Florence, SC,  John Cooper of  Orangeburg, SC and Jim Lindsey of Denver, CO; a host of nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends. 

Due to the current state of (COVID-19) pandemic and in order to promote social distancing, anyone entering the funeral home for viewing; as well as attending all graveside or funeral service, either inside or outside, must wear a mask. We will also limit the number of persons allowed to enter the funeral home or any other facility at any given period during the viewing process.  We ask that you leave the premise upon exiting the building. The family is most appreciative to each of you for all acts of kindness shown to them during this difficult time in their lives.

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Leroy Strong, please visit our floral store.