Maria Strong

STRONG, Maria Lois - age 88, of Gaines, passed away January 20, 2022. Funeral services will be held 12 PM Thursday, January 27, 2022 at Calvary Baptist Church, 10500 W. Grand Blanc Rd., Gaines. Pastor Louis Canaday will officiate. Burial will follow in Great Lakes National Cemetery. Visitation will be held 2-8 PM Wednesday at Sharp Funeral Homes, Miller Road Chapel, 8138 Miller Rd., Swartz Creek. Those desiring may make contributions to the American Cancer Society. Maria was born February 15, 1933 in Byron Center, the daughter of Cornelius and Jennie (Bush) Burmania. She was married to Maurice Strong on November 30, 1951; he preceded her in death on January 15, 2011. During the Korean War, she made parachutes for the Navy. Maria was a mail carrier for the Swartz Creek Post Office. She was the first female mail carrier in the area. She also worked as a "Tupperware Lady" for 20 years. She had been a member of Calvary Baptist Church since 1987, before that she was a member of Oak Street Baptist Church in Durand. She had resided in Gaines since 1960. Surviving are her children, Marcia Strong, Marie Nelson, Melody Pierce-Sweeney, Mary (Rocky) Fowler and Maurine (Nathan) Aldrich; daughters-in-law, Diana and Linda Strong; 16 grandchildren; 19 great-grandchildren, with two on the way; two great-great grandchildren; brothers, Paul and Neil; sister, Janice. She was also preceded in death by her sons, Maurice "Ed" Strong II and Marc E. Strong; sons-in-law, Greg Uhde, Elliott Nelson and Bill Sweeney; sister, Alyce Koetje; brothers, Gordon, Nelson, David and John Burmania. Tributes may be shared at www.sharpfuneralhomes.com