Mrs. Leona Strong Lake

So saddened to hear of Mrs. LEONA'S Passing.

Aunt Leona as I have called her for 27 years was not really my aunt but I married her nephew, Bobby Joe Smith. She was an inspiration to me, and I got to know her best when I took on the task of putting her thousand + pages of family genealogy and history into a digital format. She was one of the first people to approach me at the first Strong Family Reunion after I married into the family and of course wanted to get me to complete/update our new family information. But it was the telephone calls and the trust she imparted to me to copy all the pages of family history which represented hours, days, and years of her life. Being interested in family history and the stories people are willing to share if someone wants to hear them made us somewhat of kindred spirits from the start. As I poured over her handwriting for hours and the month it took me to copy everything as well as the things she wrote and included, I formed a picture of a very Strong Woman (pun intended) who was hard working, honest, loving, and loyal. There were also phone calls and finally a visit to her lovely home to return the books worth more than gold to her. We spent a memorial day hearing about her life, her sons, daughter in laws, and grandchildren. She was so proud of all of you and so forthcoming in sharing a part of you with us. There was the neat order of her home, seeing her sewing room, viewing her kitchen, and well thought out plan of the home she designed. The joy she shared at shopping for you all for Christmas at Estate and Yard Sales; and the fact that you took delight in the treasures she found for you. And the thrill of touching her beautiful Cathedral Window Quilt that she was working on then and shared with pride that if she died before she finished then Teresa would finish it for her. It was comforting that she did finish. All those comments as well as so many things she said about all of you closest to her that made me know, how much she loved you all and all much she was loved. As you celebrate her life, a life lived with faith, hope, hard work, personal responsibility, and most important love, may you smile and overflow with the blessing of having her and the knowledge that she surely has our Lord’s blessing of a life well done by a good and faithful servant. Blessings and Comfort to all of you closest to this precious lady. While I am extremely sad not be there to celebrate her life, please know that I feel blessed to have known and loved her.

I am saddened to learn of the death of this fine lady. However, I celebrate a highly productive life and the positive legacy she and her husband created. Yes, she will be missed by many, but celebrate the knowledge that her work is done. She currently lives in a much better place...Bill Blau, Evans/Augusta, Georgia

Aunt Leona was an amazing lady,. always smiling and always happy. I can remember going to visit Dwight and Vann many times as kids but do not remember ever going there that she was not either working in the store with Uncle Boots as we called him. or cooking something. We used to have some great Easter egg hunts at their house. The most amazing thing that I remember about her is a few years ago I was talking with Dwight and asked how his mom was doing. His answer was "she is doing just fine, as a matter of fact, we caught her climbing a ladder recently cleaning out her gutters" She was in her 90's and I could just picture her on that ladder. Her madien name was very fitting for her as she was definitely a "Strong" lady. Always loved seeing her.

Love you Aunt Leona, Rip ! What a great legacy & family you have. Great memories !

Our precious Aunt Leona helped fill the void of losing our precious mother. She was such a kind and sensitive lady. Being around her, I knew she knew the Lord by her gentleness and caring for others. I will so miss her phone calls relaying any news of the Strong family she had. Mama always loved her as long as she lived here on earth. I will always love her, too. Praying for all of you.

In memory of Mrs. Leona Strong Lake, Amy Lake lit a candle

Please accept our deepest condolences for your family's loss.