May 29 1936 – March 23 2025
Jean E. Strode, 88 years old – Mom, Mamaw, Miss Jean, Mama Strode, Memaw, Aunt Jean, and many other monikers – passed peacefully at her home in Drasco, Arkansas at 3:16pm.
Jean was born the daughter of Eulis Eric and Mattie Elizabeth Smith in Melwood, Arkansas. She lived her childhood and teen years in Marianna, Arkansas, with 7 siblings, Betty, Chuck, Barbara, Shirley, Gordan (Fish), and Charlotte, her sister Ramona passed at an early age.
Jean and her sisters, Barbara, Shirley, and Charlotte, were talented singers and traveled the regional area performing as the Smith Sisters – playing shows with Elvis Presley, Conway Twitty, and many others – they loved to sing, and they did so beautifully.
Jean was also a talented basketball player for her high school, T. A. Futrall in Marianna, and continued her athletic skills in the Memphis area playing both softball and basketball.
She was recruited by the Redheads Women's Basketball team, but her family came before her basketball.
She married the love of her life, Bobby Ray Strode, on December 23, 1953. They made their home in Memphis, where she worked as a “Full Charge Bookkeeper” for many companies including Terminix, Kitchens Unlimited, Specialty Alloys, and Service Assurance. She was a “workaholic” in the truest since of the word.
Jean is survived by:
Her daughters, Teresa (Terri) Longo of Drasco, Arkansas and Sandra (Sandy) Galtelli (David) of Drasco, Arkansas, Her grandchildren and great grandchildren, Mitzi Donato (Marcello), Lisa Cherry (Rick), Anna Strode, Alyssa Card (Quincy), Isabella Donato, Joe Cherry, and Daniel Donato.
Many nieces and nephews and friends that were family to her, and Dino aka Gino.
Jean’s death ends a generation, and she was proceeded in death by: Her husband of 64 years, Bobby Ray Strode of Aubrey, Arkansas (2017) Her son, Lance Eric Strode (November 2015), Her grandson, Brett Alan Longo, (April 2023), Her father, Eulis Eric Smith (1974) and her mother, Mattie Elizabeth Smith (1999)
Her siblings, in order of passing,Ramona Smith, Gordan “Fish” Smith, Shirley Smith Springfield, Clem Edward “Chuck” Smith, Betty Smith Lindsey, Barbara Smith Harrod and Charlotte Smith Dodson.
A visitation for will be held Monday, March 31, 2025 from 1:00 PM to 2:00 PM with her funeral service taking place at 2:00 PM all at Memphis Funeral Home and Memorial Gardens, 3700 North Germantown Parkway, Bartlett, TN 38133. A gathering of friends and family for food and fellowship will occur Monday, March 31, 2025 from 3:00 PM to 4:00 PM, 3700 North Germantown Parkway, TN 38133. A graveside service will follow Monday, March 31, 2025 from 4:00 PM to 4:30 PM at Memphis Memory Gardens, 6444 Raleigh Lagrange Rd, Memphis, TN 38134.
In lieu of flowers please honor her memory with a donation to St. Jude Children's Hospital (Memphis) or her church Berclair Baptist Church (Memphis).
