Mary Lois Stratton

1947 - 2013

Mary Lois Stratton obituary, 1947-2013, Jacksonville, FL

BORN

1947

DIED

2013

FUNERAL HOME

Hardage-Giddens Funeral Home - Jacksonville

11801 San Jose Blvd

Jacksonville, Florida

Mary Stratton Obituary

Published by Legacy Remembers on Jul. 19, 2013.


Mary Lois Stratton AKA “The Tough Ole Bird” went home to be with her Lord and Savior Jesus Christ after a courageous 18 year battle with cancer on July 17.  Mary inspired so many thoughout her battle and started her own ministry “Rainbows Abound” to inform and comfort those diagnosed with breast cancer.



Mary was born in Callahan, Florida on September 5, 1947 and relocated later to Jacksonville, Florida for the remainder of her life.



Mary was a devoted Christian woman, loving sister, aunt, friend and coworker.  For the last 10 years, Mary worked as the receptionist for Greene-Hazel & Associates where she was affectionately known as the “Sheriff.”



Mary was preceded in death by her Mother, Lois Gwendolyn Hodges, Brother, John Michael Stratton, Father Senator Harry Onis Stratton, Stepmother, Helen Pauline Stratton, Stepsister Paula C. Waters.



She is survived by her brothers, Harry Onis Stratton Jr. and wife Mary, Mark Stratton and wife Lori, Brother in law Wayne Waters, Sister, Lisa Stratton, Neices, Karen Chitwood and husband Buddy, Ashley Waters Whitman and husband Kyle, April Waters Allen and husband David, as well as Great Neices Capra and Ivy Whitman and Kelsey Caudill.  Great Nephews William Waters Allen and C.J. Caudill.



The family will receive visitors on Sunday, July 21, 2013 from 6 to 8 p.m. at Hardage-Giddens Funeral Home of Mandarin.  Funeral Services will be held 11 a.m. Monday at Christ’s Church, 5900 US 17, Fleming Island  where Mary was an active member.  Reception to follow at the church.



The family wishes to extend their thanks to Dr. Yousif Abubakr and staff at Cancer Specialist of North Florida as well as Northeast Florida Community Hospice Earl B. Hadlow facility.  Please consider donations to these facilities in lieu of flowers.



Arrangements are under the care and direction of Hardage-Giddens Funeral Home of Mandarin, 11801 San Jose Blvd. Jacksonville, FL 32223. www.hgmandarin.com (904) 288-0025.

To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.

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August 21, 2013

Lori and Mark, I've been thinking of you and all the family since Mary died. She died a survivor and was an inspiration to all she knew that had cancer. You both were so good to Mary and she had a much better life with all you all did for her. We love you all and our prayers are with the whole family.

August 6, 2013

Cristi Cannon

Mark, Lori and Family - My thoughts and prayers are with you all.

Mary was such an inspiration and it was a real blessing to know her. We shared many family stories over the years. Mary was very proud of her family and it was nice to see her light up whenever she talked about the children. She loved them all so very much.

I don't think a day went by that she didn't make me laugh. Since Mary couldn't just leave her desk to get a cup of coffee I would try to make sure each morning she had her coffee and tell her to buzz me if she needed anything throughout the day. If she did buzz me she would always have some little saying that would make me laugh. Mary had so many witty sayings and was just a real special person.

Not long ago I told her how much I looked up to her and without missing a beat she says, I'm short.......

Years ago, out of the blue she started calling me Cristi Anna Donna. Not sure where it came from but I loved it!

I miss her dearly but know she is resting peacefully.

Love,
Cristi (Anna Donna)

August 3, 2013

Martin Barron

Mary, you helped me through the toughest times with Ann...may the Almighty Father receive you in His Arms...Love always...

July 23, 2013

Anne Prator Longbrake

Mary and I were friends from age 5 thru high school and after that too. I remember that she declined kindergarten. "My Daddy says I don't have to go if I don't want to". She didn't! As little girls we played cowboys and Indians. She always got t
be Roy Rodgers. I was stuck as Gene Autry. She also always got to be the Cisco Kid, I was Pancho. The most fun, though, was when we tied my mama's aprons around our necks and we were both Superman. We flew to the clouds and then swooped back to earth to right many wrongs. I know Mary has returned to the clouds, since she certainly righted many wrongs in her lifetime...See you there, Mary.

July 22, 2013

Rest in heaven, Mary. Although I didn't know you well while in junior high in Callahan, I admired you through my sister, Gail, and her friendship with you. I'm sure you're living on in continuing to create magnificent memories for all those who knew you.

July 22, 2013

Susan Chapman

Mary was a one of the kind of person no matter where you were and no matter where she was if you needed help she was there... Mary and I knew each other for a very long time. Mary would always call me the week of Florida vs. Georgia, I would pick up the phone and and on the other in all I heard was GOOOOO Gators... as you see I am a Bulldog fan... So Long my Dear Friend, I will see you in Heaven.

July 21, 2013

Wayne Rowe

Mary and I were classmates from first thru twelfth twelth grades. She was a dear friend mine. We shared many laughs throughout those twelve years. She was a very sweet and caring person who always was eager to help others anyway she could. Ironically, not knowing of her death until this morning, I shared with my family a funny experience Mary and I had at th Florida Theatre when we were juniors at Callahan High School. I thought of her often. Mary, you will be sorely missed by your many friends and classmates. R. I. P.

July 20, 2013

Pat Walton

As one of the original members of the Rainbows Abound breast cancer support group, I appreciate the forever friendships formed there. Blessings and may you truly rest in peace.

July 20, 2013

Ale

The death of a love one is very difficult. Therefore, I'd like to share scripture that may help. Please, read John 6:40, 44

July 20, 2013

Debbie Simpson

I was blessed to have met Mary when she came to work with us at Regency Electric. Mary touched my life and so many others. I always loved coming to work each day and seeing her smiling face... She would always ask what she could do for someone else no matter how bad she may have felt. She was one of the strongest people I have ever met and had one of the biggest hearts!
She spoke so lovingly of her family... her great loves "Chuck Norris and the Gators Tim Tebow." We will forever miss you my dear friend but we will never forget you!!

You were the Toughest Ole Bird!

July 20, 2013

Jessie Gail Swineford

Mary was an 8th grade classmate in Callahan and a neighbor when we moved from NC to, at the time, the largest egg farm in FL. We rented an apartment from the Irvins and the Strattons lived a mile or so away in a beautiful home. Her father was a State Senator but Mary never acted 'better than'. Never did I feel less than in her presence. Mary has the distinction of driving me in her dad's Lincoln Continental FASTER than I've ever ridden before...or again. She was daring! My brother Mike thought the world of her brother Mike...they were pals until her brother Mike's untimely death. The Strattons were so kind to my widowed mother who was taking care of 4 children @ the time. I will always remember their kindness & generosity. RIP Mary Stratton. Your life has made a BIG difference to so many!

July 19, 2013

Earl Kelly

Mary has been our receptionist for 9.5 years and she was like a mother to all of us. Keeping us in line and making sure that everyone knew where we were.

No matter how she felt, no matter how much she hurt, she always came in with a smile on her face and a warm greeting. We all went thru treatments with Mary, offering support and comfort. We always looked forward to hearing great reports from her scans and we hurt with her if the scans weren't were that doctor thought they should be. With the last bought of Chemo the entire office pulled together and came up with a schedule to make sure she was eating.

Personally I always made sure that she had sweets (she had a big sweet tooth) and that she felt needed and special. Every time I was out and about I would always see something that I thought she needed. Mary loved stuffed animals that sing, so do I, so I would pick out somthing I liked and made sure that Mary had it on her desk! The last thing I got her was chicken from Hallmark that sang and laid eggs. She howled with delight and it is still on her desk!

Mary loved the gators and I was there on the day that Tim Tebow came to see her. I still see the surprise in her face when he got off the elevator. She was so proud that he had come by and prayed with her. She kept up with everything he did, and kept her picture of her and him on her desk at all times.

She also loved Chuck Norris and wanted to hang a huge picture of him in the lobby. Thankfully we kept that from happening but she always told us that if we didn't behave she would call him and he would set us straight.

She will be sorely missed by all of us, getting off the elevator at Greene Hazel will never be the same again. A personal joke between the two of us is when I took a day off and asked her if she missed me she would always say "were you gone?" Well, Mary we know you are gone and we know that you are in good hands and being well taken care of.

We love you.

Posted by Earl Kelly

July 19, 2013

I worked with Mary for several years at Regency Electric and she was always upbeat; an inspiration to everyone she met. A beautiful angel has joined the heavenly choir. My thoughts and prayers go out to the family.

Darlene Curtiss

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Funeral services provided by:

Hardage-Giddens Funeral Home - Jacksonville

11801 San Jose Blvd, Jacksonville, FL 32223

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