Mrs. Leona Strong Lake

Mrs. Leona Strong Lake, 98, of Opelika, AL went into her new body on October 1, 2023.

Funeral services will be held 12:00 noon EDT (11:00 am CDT) Thursday, October 5, 2023 at Vance Brooks Funeral Home in Phenix City, AL with Dr. Rusty Sowell officiating. She will be laid to rest next to her beloved husband of 63 years, at Lakeview Memory Gardens in Phenix City, AL.  The family will receive friends Thursday morning from 11:00 until 12:00 noon EDT (10:00 am until 11:00 am CDT) at the funeral home.  Pallbearers will be Shane Lake, Scott Jones, Brandon Lake, Barry James, Mark James and Blaine Jones.

Leona was born May 31, 1925 in Wadley, AL, daughter of the late Leon Strong and Lillie Knight Strong.  Howard and Leona lived in Phenix City, AL for over 60 years.  They owned and operated a General Store for over 25 years.  They also had a part in organizing two Baptist missionary churches that were organized into a Baptist church in Phenix City, AL.  Both were charter members of Auburn Heights Baptist Church and served in many roles over 45 years.

Leona retired from Leshner Manufacturing in Phenix City, with over 25 years of service.  After retiring, she began doing research on her family history and became known as the family historian.  She loved to share the findings of her research at the annual Strong family reunion.  These reunions brought her closer to her nieces and nephews, who she loved very much.

Leona is preceded in death by her parents, Leon and Lillie Strong; her husband, Howard Lake; siblings, Bama Rean Strong, Orean Strong, Catherine Smith, Ruthie Hamlet, Alvie Mae Lake, Pearl Oliver, Earl Strong, Odean Hayes and John W. Strong.

Surviving family members include her two sons, Dwight Lake (Teresa) of Opelika, AL and Van Lake (Karen) of Williamson, GA; grandchildren, Amy Lake, Heather Jones (Scott), Shane Lake (Dottie), Mark James (Laurie) and Barry James (Toni); great-grandchildren, Madison Lake, McKenzie Astin, Blaine Jones, Kwinn Lake, Katie Wilkerson, Tyler Jones, Hudson Jones, Whitley Harris (Brandon), Dakota Turner (Cody), along with five great-great-grandchildren; as well as several extended family and friends.

Friends may leave online condolences at www.vancebrooksfuneralhome.net .