Shirley J. Strong, age 88 of Eldon, Missouri, and formerly of Carlyle, passed away at Lake Regional Hospital in Osage Beach, Missouri on Thursday, September 14, 2023.
She was born in East St. Louis, Illinois on November 14, 1934, to the late James T. and Adele A. (née Tucker) Grant. She married Lawrence Strong in East St. Louis in 1953, and he preceded her in death on June 16, 1996. In addition to her parents and her husband, Shirley was preceded in death by 2 sisters – Rose Morris and husband Royce, and Mary Rozzell and husband Clyde; her brother – James T. Grant and wife Montez; her in-laws – Doyle Strong and wife Teresa, Bill Kerwin, and Jerry Strong and wife Wilma; and a nephew – James T. Grant III.
Mrs. Strong is survived by her children – Lawrence Strong and wife Lana of Carlyle, Donna Barnhart and husband Johnny of Lake Ozark, and Dennis Strong of Lake Ozark; her grandchildren – Tasha Revia and husband Lawrence of Lake Ozark, Erica Alvarez and husband Leno of Chicago, Amber Strong of Iowa, and Emory Berry; her great-grandchildren – Morianna Ebert, Lakota Revia, Selah Alvarez, Zeke Alvarez, Chelsey Strong, and Ryan Strong; a sister – Sandra Sue Kerwin of Carlyle; and many nieces, nephews, and in-laws.
Shirley was an active member of the First Baptist Church of Carlyle. She loved teaching others about God and faith at Sunday School and enjoyed helping at Bible School for many years at the church. Shirley often found joy in the pages of crossword puzzles and word finds.
Funeral service will be held at the First Baptist Church in Carlyle at 1:00 P.M. on Tuesday, September 19, 2023, with Rev. Scott Broughton, officiating. Interment will follow at Carlyle Township Cemetery. Visitation will be held at the First Baptist Church in Carlyle on Tuesday from 11:00 A.M. – 1:00 P.M. Expressions of sympathy in memory of Mrs. Strong are suggested to the First Baptist Church in Carlyle or to the charity of the donor’s choice. Donations will be received at the service or through Zieren Funeral Home in Carlyle. Online condolences may be shared by visiting www.ZierenFuneralHome.com.
