HOLLY GROVE -- Willie Mae Strong, 73, of Holly Grove, died Monday, April 30, 2007, at Stuttgart Regional Medical Center.
She was born Jan. 15, 1934, in Holly Grove to Elmore Knowles and Eula Stewart-Cartwright.
Mrs. Strong was a member of St. John Missionary Baptist Church in Holly Grove where she served as an usher and as a member of the choir. She was a homemaker who loved cooking and singing. She was a strong influence in the lives of her entire family.
She was preceded in death by her parents; her son, Henry L. Strong Jr.; three brothers, Charles Petty, Lluellyn Knowles and James Knowles; and a sister, Claudine Mayo.
Survivors are four daughters, Diana Williams of Dallas, Jeanette Nelson and husband Alvin of Chicago, Velma Strong of Holly Grove and Clara Grayson and husband Dewayne of Conway; a step-mother, Lucy Knowles of Holly Grove; seven brothers, Bobby Cartwright and wife Jean of Clarendon, Billy Cartwrighgt and wife Rosemary, Homer Cartwright and wife Mary, Marvin Cartwright and wife Debra, Claude Cartwight and wife Bertha, and Marvin Kelley, all of Holly Grove, and William Perry Knowles of Chicago; ten sisters, Alice Marie Simmons, Alberta Powell and Beatrice Cunningham of husband Wayne, all of Holly Grove, Juanita Isby of Detroit, Loistene Anderson of North Little Rock, Debra Govan of Conway, Bonnie Statewright of Clarendon, Joyce Bright of Atlanta, and Regina Whitlock and Virginia Whitlock, both of Little Rock; an aunt, Virginia Grayson of Holly Grove; 10 grandchildren, 8 great-grandchildrenm and a host of other relatives and friends.
Funeral services were held Saturday at 11 a.m. at St. John M.B. Church, Hwy 17 South in Holly Grove with the Rev. Clarence Cartwright officiating. Burial was in Hayes Cemetery at Holly Grove. Professional services were provide by Branscumb Johnson and Gilchrest Funeral Home of Brinkley.
Pallbearers were Derek Mayo, Theon Mayo, Lamon Mayo, Darwin May, Paris Henderson and Charles Powell.
