Obituary: INEZ STRADER HANDY
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Martha Inez Strader Handy, lived a faithful 100 year life. She passed away with her children by her side on Monday, August 29, 2022 while residing in the Gibson House of Rockingham County Hospice. Her greatest pleasure was in that she was able to live in her own home her entire life. Her early youth was spent in the Oregon Hill Community with her parents Earl Draughn Strader and Minnie Ann Allen Strader. As a girl, the family moved to a farm on the “Old Greensboro Road” (Us 29 South). Now deceased, she had two brothers, Elwood (Thresa) and Dr. Eugene “Ray” (Julia) of Lexington. Her three sisters, called by many as the,”Strader Girls” were Edna (Virge Perdew), Virginia Dare (Arlee Williams), and Shirley (Larry Hodapp). She cared deeply for her nieces and nephews and they loved and respected her in return.
In 1945, she married Gordon Joseph Handy after two tours of Naval duty on the WWII Battleship Boise. They were partners in parenting and the business of operating Handy Electric Co. They were married for 52 years. An expert homemaker and wonderful cook, she raised a son Gordon Keith (Donna) and a dedicated daughter, Karen (Bill Steger), all of Reidsville. Her only granddaughter, Paige Steger Walker (Ronald David), had been her loyal companion for the last years of her life.
She walked humbly by Faith, as a member of Mizpah Methodist Church for over 85 years. The church being small, she served in every capacity. Truly the congregation matriarch and oldest member, she attended church services and Sunday Schoolj faithfully until two weeks before her passing. Many individual members give testimonials including her urging and welcoming as the reason they became members of the church. She read the entire Bible no less than 4 times. Besides her religious life, she enjoyed morning walks. In her last year of active walking, well past 95, she logged over 250 miles. She was an active member of the Out Our Road Home Demonstration Club. She was fond of organizing family reunions. Her life’s most thrilling opportunity was to make a Pilgrimage abroad to the Holy Land. Her quiet joy was in having raised her two children.
“His Lord said unto him, Well done, good and faithful servant; thou hast been faithful over a few things, I will make thee ruler over many things: enter thou into the joy of thy Lord.”
King James Version (KJV)
A private burial will take place at 10 am at Evergreen Cemetery followed by a life celebration at 11:00 am at Mizpah Church on Thursday, September 1, 2022. Family and Friends will share condolences following the service in the Mizpah Church Fellowship Hall. Pastor Bethany Johnson will preside. Masks and face coverings are optional and you may come by Citty Funeral Home and pay your respects on Wednesday, August 31, 2022.
Her family will gathered at the home of her son, Keith Handy at 2604 Ashcroft Dr.,Reidsville, NC. In lieu of flowers memorials may be made to Mizpah United Church, ℅ Mrs. Melanie Ball, 645 NC 150 Reidsville, NC 27320 or to Rockingham County Hospice.
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