Jay was born in Hagerstown, Maryland and was the son of the late Milton Henry and Ruth Emma (Hoffman) Strite.
Jay graduated from John Marshall High School in Richmond, Virginia and later served in Korea. After the service, he moved to Powhatan County where he went into farming. Here he met his wife, Mildred Ruth Batterson. They were married on August 17, 1955. Jay went into the real estate business, working many years with Executive Realty in Richmond, VA. He was also one of the founding members of Dale Memorial Park Cemetery in Chesterfield in 1961.
In 1974, Jay and Mildred moved from Chesterfield County to Louisa County where they opened a greenhouse and nursery business, Sunshine Plant Farm. Mildred died on June 17, 1991, and after Mildred’s passing, he continued to operate the greenhouse. In 2017, he sold the property in Louisa and moved to Harrisonburg, VA where his daughter lived.
In addition to his parents and wife, Jay was preceded in death by sister Lola Strite and sister Mable Kinzie.
Jay is survived by his daughter Debra (Barry) Miller, grandsons, Alec (Samantha) Miller, Brian Miller, (Nathan Breeden), great-grandchildren, Sawyer, Asher and Sydney Miller, all of Rockingham County.
A graveside service will be held Thursday, April 3, 2025, at 2pm, at Dale Memorial Park, 10201 Newbys Bridge Road, Chesterfield VA.
Arrangements are by Lindsey Funeral Home, Harrisonburg, VA. Condolences may be sent online to www.lindseyfuneralhomes.com.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the American Heart Association.
