Barbara Elaine Strong

Barbara Elaine Strong went to be held in the loving arms of our Savior on September 10, 2015. She loved her family, friends, gardening, pets, life and the Lord most of all. She was told at one time that she should have been a writer and has the containers full of journals to prove it. She was born to Vern and Florence (Shellman) Hunt on November 1, 1930 in Lake Odessa. She married Richard M. Strong August 16, 1947 in Lake Odessa, who preceded her in death. She was a member of First Congregational Church and enjoyed Women’s Fellowship. She was also preceded in death by her father, Vern Hunt; mother, Florence Hunt; brother, Elwin Hunt; grandson, Aaron Strong and sister-in-law, Ruth Strong.  She leaves her loving memories to be cherished by her five children:  Carol (Lee) Jackson of Lake Odessa, Michigan; Barbara Strong of Lake Odessa; Sharon Strong of Lake Odessa; Julie (James) McDowell of Columbia, South Carolina, and David (Caroline) Strong of Grand Rapids, Michigan. Also survived by her sister, Madeline (Marshall) Meyers of Woodland, Michigan and brother-in-law, Marion Strong of Tempe, Arizona.  Her grandchildren: Brian (Barbara) Jackson, Lisa (Mark) Nurenberg, Lori (Stephen) Prysock, Erik (Amber) McDowell, Shane McDowell, Lacey McDowell, Micheal McDowell, Wendy (Chris) Williams, Evan Strong, and Grace Strong.  Her great grandchildren: Kaitlyn and Krista Jackson, Scarlett McDowell, Abbigail Williams, and Jackson Nurenberg and her many other family members. Funeral services will be at Koops Funeral Chapel on Wednesday, September 16th, 2015 at 11:00 A.M. Upon the request of the deceased the family will proceed to Lakeside for interment.  Memorial contributions can be made to First Congregational Church, 767 Fourth Avenue, Lake Odessa, Michigan or Lake Odessa Fire Department and First Responders, 1150 1st Street, Lake Odessa.