Thelma Strong, 85, of Memphis, Missouri, died Monday, December 14, 2009, at her home.
She was born January 19, 1924, at the home of her parents, Lynn and Lela Mae Sexton Riddington in Scotland County near Hitt, Missouri.
Thelma spent most of her life in Scotland County. She attended Crow School and was a graduate of Memphis High School, Class of 1941.
She married Phillip Neal Strong on August 15, 1942 at Kahoka, Missouri and to this union six sons were born. The couple farmed in Scotland County for 11 years. Neal died December 25, 1986.
Thelma worked for the City of Memphis, as Scotland County deputy clerk and for the State of Missouri for twenty years. She retired in 1990 as a social service worker with the Division of Aging and until three years ago, she worked as a clerk at Cook’s Mens Store in Memphis. She was a member of the First Christian Church, the Christian Women Workers, the Scotland County Genealogical Society and the Red Hats Society. She volunteered at the Clothes Closet in Memphis and assisted in delivering Meals on Wheels. Thelma enjoyed playing cards.
She is survived by four sons: Dennis Darold Strong and his wife, Vicki, of Alexandria, Minnesota; Richard Lowell Strong and his wife, Deidra, of Willard, Missouri; Stanley Eugene Strong and his wife, Joan, of Marshalltown, Iowa; Jeffrey Neal Strong of Los Angeles, California; three grandsons: Christopher Neal Strong, Matthew Earl Strong, Philip Samuel Strong and a step-grandson, Michael Cecil. Other survivors include five great grandchildren: Anja Strong, Aili Strong, Anden Strong, Caleb Strong, Mackenzie Strong; a step-great granddaughter, Ava Cecil; nieces, nephews and many friends.
Thelma was preceded in death by her parents, twin sons; Larry Neal and Gary Wayne her husband, two sisters: Marguerite Riddington Triplett and Evelyn Riddington Young and a brother, Kenneth Riddington.
Visitation will open at 9 AM Thursday at the Memphis Funeral Home with family greeting friends from 6 until 8 P.M. . Funeral services will be held Friday, December 18, 2009, at the Christian Church in Memphis with Brother Jack Sumption officiating. Music will be provided by Joan Hinds, organist and Joe and Lori Fulk, vocalists. Burial will follow in the Memphis Cemetery. Casket bearers will be Jamie Triplett, Chris Strong, Matt Strong, Philip Strong, Jared Blessing, Daryn Triplett and Brandyn Triplett. Honorary bearers will be John Cook, Guy Gardine, Ronnie Young, Larry Riney, Lonnie Triplett, David Young and Larry Sexton.
Memorials may be made to Memphis Genealogical Society and may be left at or mailed to the Memphis Funeral Home, 378 South Market Street, Memphis, Missouri 63555.
Online condolences may be sent to Thelma’s family at mmphisfh@nemr.net.
Memphis Funeral Home in charge of arrangements.
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