Mary Virginia Strauss
On Tuesday June 28, 2022, Mary Virginia Strauss, loving mother, grandmother, aunt, and great-grandmother, has moved on to her next great adventure at the age of 91.
Mary was born on August 14, 1930 in House, Mississippi to Otis and Velma (Adkins) Winstead. She was the youngest of 4 children, with two sisters Marguerite (Mockie) and Ludie (Billie) and one brother Thomas (Pete).
Growing up on a farm in rural Mississippi allowed Mary to have a very active childhood exploring and working the land around her home. This lead to her passion for sports, specifically basketball which she played throughout her youth. Mary was not only athletically but also musically inclined and would often play boogie tunes on the piano.
Her active lifestyle did not allow her to stay in one place for long. She worked as an X-ray technician for many different hospitals and doctors offices across the country. From Union, MS, to Detroit, MI, to Memphis, TN, then Knoxville, TN, and finally Chattanooga, TN. Her love for those around her lead her to be involved in her families lives and social gatherings as much as she could.
She had many different hobbies, one of which was playing bridge on Wednesday. Another one of her hobbies was to cook. Her banana pudding was infamous within her family and friends.
Mary was preceded in her death by her parents Otis and Velma Winstead, and her siblings Marguerite (Mockie) Roberta Winstead Harris, Ludie (Billie) Helonise Winstead, and Thomas (Pete) Peebles Winstead, along with one grandchild Molly Catherine Stovall.
She is survived by her daughters Sue (Dan) Baliko, Vickie (Matt) Stovall, and Terrie Leidholdt, her grandchildren, Jason Baliko, Melissa (Richard) Wade, Chad (Leah) Baliko, Tyler Robertson, Maggie Stovall, Rhys Robertson, and Sam Stovall, and her great grandchildren, Caellum Baliko, Emma Baliko, Maeley Baliko, Rowdy Wade, Rebel Wade, Brooks Baliko, and Kellen Baliko. As well as her brother Marty Winstead and several nieces and nephews.
We would like to thank Dwight Somers of Hospice of Chattanooga. Mary Jane Cotter and Prentha Lee. Lawrence, Tiffany, Kelly, Jennifer, Connie, Michelle, Kim and the whole nursing staff of NHC and the Chaplins for taking such good care of our mother, grandmother, and great grandmother.
“The ones that love us never really leave us” Albus Dumbledore.
The family will receive friends from 9:30–11 a.m. on Friday, July 8, at the East Chapel of Chattanooga Funeral Home, 404 South Moore Road.
A private burial service will be held at Berry Highland Cemetery in Knoxville.
Please share your thoughts and memories at www.ChattanoogaEastChapel.com.