Obituary of Ellis Ray Strain

Funeral services for Ellis Ray Strain, 88, of Woodland will be held on Friday, August 24, 2018 at 3:00 PM at Zion Baptist Church with Rev. David Daniel officiating.  Burial will follow in the adjoining cemetery with Benefield Funeral Home in charge of arrangements.

The family will receive friends at the funeral home from 6:00-8:00 PM on Thursday, August 23.  Mr. Strain will lie in state at the church for one hour prior to services beginning on Friday.

Mr. Strain passed away Sunday, August 19 at his residence.

Survivors include his wife of 66 years, Lottie Strain of Woodland; one daughter, Pat Hosey (husband, David) of Carrollton, Ga; and two grandchildren, Zack Hosey of Sandy Springs, GA, and Caitlin Mock (husband, Jace) of Franklin, GA; and several nieces and nephews.

Pallbearers will be Jimmy Strain, Don Strain, Barry Edwards, Rocky Giffone, Cliff Jones, and Billy Walls.

A Woodland native, Mr. Strain was born on January 7, 1930, the son of George and Vaudie Pair Strain. He was a member of Zion Baptist Church where he served as a Deacon and Sunday School Superintendent. Mr. Strain was a 1947 Woodland High School graduate.  He was instrumental in getting Woodland incorporated and received the key to the city in 2017 at Woodland Founder’s Day.  Mr. Strain worked as a civil engineer for the Randolph County Engineering Department and also worked many years in setting up polling places in Randolph County.  He enjoyed farming, hunting, fishing, and spending time outdoors.  Mr. Strain enjoyed spending time with his grandchildren and their trips on the golf cart and taking them to Woodland football games. Mr. Strain was preceded in death by his parents; one son, Ellis Ray Strain, Jr.; two brothers, Dwight Strain and Awbrey Strain; and two sisters, Burmadean Edwards and Genett McCord.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to the Zion Baptist Church Cemetery Fund.