Obituary: KAYOKO KOBORI “SUSIE” STROUD
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Kayoko Kobori ‘Susie Stroud’ passed away peacefully after a brief illness, surrounded by family on October 13, 2024. Susie was born August 4, 1930 in Tokyo Japan to Dr. and Mrs. Nabuo Kobori. She was the oldest of six children.
After World War II, she worked as a typist at Grand Heights Military Base in Tokyo. There she met and married Donald Stroud of Reidsville North Carolina, who was in the United States Army at the time. She was often asked about her nickname ‘Susie’, so she explained her supervisor at the base could not pronounce her Japanese name. There were two other Japanese co-workers at the time with the nicknames ‘Rosie’ and ‘Daisy’. She always seemed happy they chose ‘Susie’ for her.
Their first child Susan, was born in Tokyo before they returned to the States. Susie and daughter settled into her husband’s hometown of Reidsville. Here she made many lifelong friends, and it is also here she began her life as a Christian. She lived an honorable and faithful life in service to God and to others.
She was the owner of Stroud Insurance Agency for many years, and engaged in various community organizations and activities. She was a member of Baptist Temple Church, and participated in the choir and mission programs. One of the most special opportunities of her life came when she was asked to participate in a Billy Graham Crusade in Tokyo Japan. Other highlights included multiple mission trips to Honduras to support the efforts of her dear friends Larry and Jean Elliott who were missionaries there for many years.
Susie was preceded in death by her husband, her parents, and two siblings. She is survived by her sisters Mikiko Imaizumi, Eyoko Iwashige, and brother Dr. Shinsaku Kobori. nieces and nephews include Izumi, Maki, Hajime, Miyako, Emma, and Tsuneto. She is also survived by her three daughters, Susan Moore, Donna Rothrock (Alex), and Jean Tate (Ronnie). There are four grandchildren, Joshua Moore, Zan Rothrock, Graham Rothrock, and Zachary Tate, as well as six great-grandchildren.
Memorials can be made to: Ancora Compassionate Care (formerly Hospice of Rockingham County) P.O. Box 281, Wentworth, NC 27375
Citty Funeral Home is assisting the Stroud family. Online condolences may be sent to: www.cittyfh.com
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