Mrs. Martha Strong

April 7, 1922 - June 30, 2020

Eldress Martha Ann Hines Strong was born on April 7, 1922 to the late Reverend Aaron Hines, Sr. and the late Vernisha Smith Hines. Eldress Strong was called from her earthly home to her eternal home in Heaven on Tuesday, June 30, 2020. Eldress Martha Strong attended the Pitt County Schools and further her studies at Pitt Community College. She retired from E. B. Aycock Junior High School. Eldress Martha Strong attended Bible Study Classes under the leadership of Eldress Ollie Harris and the Reverend J. L. Wilson. In life, Eldress Strong seek no high office, asking for no praise but thanked God each and every day for bringing her this far. Her favorite motto was: “Praise Him while you can, if you don’t want to praise Him, move out of my way and let me praise Him.” At age sixteen she joined The Haddock’s Chapel F.W.B. Church under the leadership of the late Bishop W. L. Jones. Upon his leaving, Bishop Steven Jones became her pastor. Eldress Strong began working in the church as Mistress of Ceremony, member of the Senior Choir and served on the Mother Board. She served as the Advisor of the Northeast B Division Conference Women Department of the District #3 Union Meeting until her health failed. Eldress Strong was called into the ministry in June 1970. Her sermon was “The Implanted Word.” Eldress Strong was the associate minister at Haddock’s Chapel U.A.F.W Baptist Church under the leadership of the late Dr. Matthew Ward, Reverend Kenneth Joyner proceeded him. Eldress Martha Strong married the love of her life, Bennie Edward Strong on February 11, 1942 and they shared seventy-one years together. Eldress Martha Strong was preceded in death by her husband, Bennie Edward Strong; two sons, Willie and Ervin Strong; daughter-in-law, Barbara Strong; three sisters, Mother Rosa Gardner, Eldress Rana Council, Evangelist Eva Forbes; brother, Deacon Aaron Hines. Eldress Martha Strong leaves to cherish her memories, five children, daughters, Deloris Whitehust (Dr. Jimmie) of Ayden, NC, Carol Cox of District Heights, MD; sons, Deacon Linwood Strong (Mother Francine), Melvin Strong all of Winterville, NC, Harvey Strong of Ayden, NC; daughter-in-law, Florence Strong of Winterville, NC; one sister, Mother Ella Atkinson of Ayden, NC; sister-in-law, Joan Hines of Kinston, NC; nineteen grandchildren; thirty-six great-grandchildren; five great-great-grandchildren; a host of nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends.