Mary Frances Strong

Mrs. Mary Frances Strong, (maiden name Wright) age 80, was born October 12, 1933 in Knoxville, Tennessee, daughter of the late Mrs. Lois A. and Mr. Cornell L. Wright, Sr. She peacefully went to be with the Lord at her residence in Detroit, Michigan, on Tuesday, March 11, 2014.

At an early age after attending college, the family moved from Knoxville, Tennessee to Detroit, Michigan. She was united in marriage to Roy Strong on June 5, 1955. Roy and Mary were married for 40 years preceding his death, April 5, 1996. To this union, three children were born: Roy Montgomery Strong and Tony Curtis Strong of Detroit, Michigan and Rita Lois Kurtz of Scottsdale, Arizona.

Mary, better known as: "Mom" "Gram my," "Ninny," "Mary," "Frances" and "Frank," was a spirited person full of life. She was the rock of the family. Although she did work in the workforce for a short while, she really enjoyed being a homemaker. She humbly and diligently took care of her mother who lived with her all of her life, Lois Anne Wright (Nunny), until her death, June 8, 1994 (age 82), as well as her husband's ailing health until he passed in 1996 (age 66). She also took intensive and loving care of her handicapped son, Tony, since his birth. Mary struggled for years with osteoporosis, high blood pressure and sarcoidosis (inflammation of the lungs and skin). She suffered typical aches and pains, heartaches from the loss of loved ones, long,
sleepless nights with her sick son, and the typical worry of a mother over her children, but she always managed to smile. She would say, "I laugh to keep from crying." Though she shed tears, hurts, and complaints, through it all, she would always thank God for her many blessings. She had a jovial spirit
and would always make us laugh. Just prior to her death, her health was fair: she was able to get around and function with the aid of oxygen. She was still able to drive, walk and run her household. Her death was a bit of a surprise to the family, but she died in the comfort of her home of 47 years. All of the immediate family spoke to her or saw her the day prior to her death. She passed in her sleep.

She was a gifted, classically trained, pianist and singer. She loved music. She played piano for churches in both Tennessee and Michigan. She loved to travel, attend museums, visit amusement parks, manicure her lawn/garden, had a knack for design and art, and her penmanship was impeccable. Most of all, she enjoyed spending quality time with her family and friends. She will surely be missed.

Prior to joining Messiah Baptist Church she was a long standing member at Greater Future Missionary Baptist Church in Detroit, Michigan; (Pastor Leon Weir). She attended Messiah Baptist Church, in Detroit, Michigan;
(Rev. Orville K. Littlejohn), regularly until a multitude of family illnesses prevented her from doing so. Messiah was her church home.