Elbert “Maurice” Strong, a loving and devoted son, brother, uncle, godfather and friend, was born October 16, 1943 in Newark, Arkansas to the late Noah Strong, Sr. and Henrietta Flenoy Strong. Also preceding him in death were his four brothers, Doc Porter (D.P.) Strong, Charles Samuel Strong, Noah (N.H.) Strong Jr. and Gabe Strong. And four sisters, Pauline Strong Peel, Bessie L Strong, Margaret Strong and Ethel Strong White.
Elbert received his early education in the Batesville, Arkansas School District and graduated from Arkansas AM and N College, now the University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff, with a degree in Secondary Education. Elbert attended graduate school at Rutgers University in New Brunswick, New Jersey and taught school for six years in the Mississippi County-Osceola School District. Elbert also worked as a caseworker with the Mississippi County Department of Human Services for two years prior to moving to Little Rock, Arkansas in 1974. Having been employed by the Arkansas Department of Health since 1974, Elbert’s most recent position was Arkansas WIC Farmers’ Market Nutrition Program Coordinator until his retirement.
Elbert was life-long member of the African Methodist Episcopal Church and joined Union African Methodist Church in 1989 where he served as a faithful member until his death. He served the church in many capacities including treasurer, trustee, steward, president of the mass choir, and president of the men’s choir, president of usher board and president of the Sons of Allen Men’s Ministry.
He is survived by his nephews, Robert Peel Jr. of Kenneth, Missouri; Charles E Peel of Caruthersville, Missouri; James W. Peel of Kenneth Missouri; Leon J Peel and Bobby G. Peel of Malden, Missouri; Homer Peel and Clifford Peel of Hayti, Missouri; Gregory G. Strong of Fayetteville, Arkansas; Sean R Strong of Hot Springs, Arkansas; William Strong of Groton, Connecticut; Charles (Charlie) R. Strong of Tampa, Florida; Floyd White; Billy J White of Newport, Arkansas; Richard D White and Dwayne E White of Little Rock, Arkansas. Nieces: Joann Peel Williams and Paulette Peel Jones of Minneapolis, Minnesota; Henrietta Peel Payne of Springfield, Missouri; Trinita Peel Williams of Hayti, Missori; Bessie Peel Roland of Kenneth, Missouri; Glenda Peel Smith of Aurora, Colorado; Lanora Strong of Texas; Nikki White Lee of Newport, Arkansas; Jessica C Strong Davis of North Little Rock, Arkansas; Sharon Harper Strong Naulls of Batesville, Arkansas.
He is also survived by best friend and caretaker, Bobby S. Prescott of Little Rock, Arkansas; goddaughter, Erika Frost of San Obispo, California; sister-in-law, Willie C Ramsey Strong of Batesville, Arkansas and a host of great nieces and nephews, cousins and friends
