of McRae, AR
March 12, 1930 - September 4, 2023
On September 4, 2023, Vela Lee (Stracener) Strayhorn left this earth at the age of 93, to be with her Lord and Savior in Heaven.
Born in Floyd, AR on March 12, 1930 she lived in the Floyd and Gravel Hill area until she married Clarence Strayhorn on May 26, 1952. After living in Ft Smith, AR for a short time while Clarence completed his time in the Army, they moved to the 16th Section Community and within a year had built the house and home where she was living when The Good Lord called her home.
Vela was preceded in death by her husband of 71 years Clarence Strayhorn; her parents, James and Lottie Stracener; brother, Marvin Stracener; sister-in-law, Nell Stracener; daughter-in-law, Josephine (Jo) Tice Strayhorn and nephew, Stan Stracener.
She leaves behind her favorite son (only child), Randy Strayhorn and his wife, Dianna; 3 grandsons, Nathan Strayhorn and wife, Jordan (a granddaughter at heart), Alex Strayhorn and Mister Alex Wong; a granddaughter, Sara Smith Cooper and her husband (basically another grandson), Corey Cooper; a great grandson, Wilder Ray Strayhorn and 3 great granddaughters, Ava Cooper, Adelyne Cooper and Josephine (Josie) Strayhorn.
Vela was proud to be recognized as a founding member of The Sixteenth Section Union Church on Highway 267 near McRae, where she served in many capacities for many years and where she loved to teach children in Sunday School.
Vela loved to raise flowers and enjoyed sharing them with all her friends. She said she loved working in the garden and flowers because it was a good time and place to be close and talk to God. While she shared her flowers she also loved sharing her Faith and Trust in her Savior Jesus.
Vela loved going fishing with Clarence, Randy and the grandsons and would fish all day, catching any or not, but she would never eat a fish, ''They Stink!''.
Vela was a loving and dedicated wife, mother, grandmother, great grandmother, aunt and friend.
She was known as ''Aunt Vela'' or ''Granny'' to many and she tried to feed and spoil all of them with her fresh vegetables, country cooked meals, chocolate gravy, chocolate pies and fried pies.
Memorials may be made in Vela's name directly to:
The 16th Section Union Church and/or Weir Cemetery
Mail either/both to: ℅ Jimmie Merriman, 3491 Hwy 267 S, Beebe, AR 72012
-or- directly to Gideons International: https://www.gideons.org/
Visitation on Saturday, September 9, 2023 from 9:30-10 AM at Roller-Daniel Funeral Home Chapel on Race St in Searcy immediately followed by the Celebration of Life Services at 10:00 AM.
Interment will follow in the Weir Cemetery.
Special Thanks to her Caregivers Peggy Duncan and Ariel Hacker. She loved you both. You know why The Lord allowed her to stay on this earth as long as she did.
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11 Condolence(s)
Katie Ward
Saturday, September 9, 2023
Our thoughts and prayers are with Mr a Randy and your family. Mrs Vela was such a beautiful and loving soul who shared her love of God with every one she met. There are no doubts she lead so many children (and adults) to Christ. She was the true definition of what a Christian should be. We were all blessed to know and be loved by her.
Joan Vinson
Friday, September 8, 2023
Vela is and always will be loved, respected and treasured by so many who she touched their lives with the light shining from within her. Through her handiwork whether it was sewing, gardening or sharing vegetables and plants she remains in our hearts. Randy, Diana and family your mother was a true saint and God-send. I pray for Jesus’ peace, love and comfort as you move forward.
Sandra (Susie) Weatherly
Friday, September 8, 2023
Randy and family...I am so sorry that you've lost your Momma. I'm so blessed to have seen & visited with her at our last Stracener family reunion. May the Lord comfort you during thus sad time. Love, Susie
Jan Owen
Thursday, September 7, 2023
So sorry for your loss. Thoughts and prayers for you and your family.
Love, jan
Nancy Fondren
Thursday, September 7, 2023
Mrs. Strayhorn was always so kind to me. I remember following her around the yard while she showed me and Jo all her beautiful flowers. She was a sweet lady. My thoughts and prayers for all the family. Love, Nan
Portia Strange Pierce
Thursday, September 7, 2023
Randy and family , I am so sorry for your loss . She was such a sweetheart and such a kind soul. Many hugs and prayers
Steve and Sheree Stracener
Thursday, September 7, 2023
Randy and family, of course you already know this but my aunt Vela and Uncle Clarence were the kindest people I have ever known. This world will miss the light they brought to it for so for many years. My life was forever influenced in such a positive way by the many days that I stayed with aunt Vela as a child. Our thoughts and prayers are with you and we pray for the peace and comfort that God can provide during these times.
Darrell Strayhorn
Wednesday, September 6, 2023
Tabitha (Swain) Taylor
Wednesday, September 6, 2023
Uncle Randy and boys, my thoughts and prayers are with y’all during the days to come. Love y’all, Tabitha and family
Mary Harris
Wednesday, September 6, 2023
Such a Sweet Precious Lady will be missed an remembered by so many.
Prayers for all th Family
Ken & Patsy Carson
Tuesday, September 5, 2023
She gave us so much love. Her beautiful smile always warmed our hearts. Everytime we go to church her presence will be felt. Rest in peace and loveâ¤ï¸