Deaconess Jacquelyn Strother

Life's Journey
Jacquelyn Williams Strother born August 16, 1951, peacefully transitioned from labor to reward April 8, 2022. She was united in marriage to Gerald L. Strother, Sr. August 30, 1972 in Columbus, Ohio. Their union was blessed with three children.
Jacquelyn attended Columbus Public Schools and was in the first graduating class of Mohawk Jr./Sr. High School in 1969. After high school graduation she attended Ohio Wesleyan University until she entered the workforce. Jacquelyn was a dedicated employee, most notably at Ohio National Bank, F. & R. Lazarus & Co., Mt. Olivet Christian Academy, and Project Linden.
At an early age Jacquelyn accepted Jesus Christ as her Savior and committed to serving the Lord, His church and His people. While a devoted member of Faith Mission United Holiness Church, her Pastor, Birdie Williams, permitted her to participate in youth choirs and the Hattie Jackson Teenage Guild at nearby Refuge Baptist Church. When she moved to Wilmington, Ohio in 1974, she united with (then) Second Baptist Church pastored by the late Dr. Larry L. Harris. Upon moving back to Columbus, she joined Mt. Olivet Baptist Church. Jacquelyn's
discipleship evolved under the leadership of pastors, the late Dr. H. Beecher Hicks, Sr., the late Dr. Charles E. Booth, and Dr. Eugene L. Gibson, Jr.
Jacquelyn was called to serve in the Deaconess Ministry while actively participating in multiple Mt. Olivet ministries. Known by a radiant smile, "Ms. Jackie" as she was affectionately called, also served in the Christian Education ministry as Sunday school teacher, Vacation Bible School instructor, Nurse's Corps servant, and personal favorite "Guild Girls" counselor. She had much love and respect for the Golden Agers she grew to know while driving the church van on Sundays and during excursions to Amish country. Within the music ministry, she was a director and member of the Cathedral, Inspirational, Gospel, Mass, and Women's choirs. However, it was when she united with the Praise Dance ministry that a passion for liturgical dance flourished. In addition to ministering during worship services, they were invited to minister during conferences, weddings, and theatrical productions. She is a former president of the Eastern Union Missionary Baptist Association Nurse's Corps. For 30 years she attended the National Convention of Gospel Choirs and Choruses as an active member of the Greater Cincinnati
Choral Union soloist bureau.
Ms. Jackie LOVED her grandchildren and was usually seen with at least one of them! She also enjoyed spending time with friends, cooking, sewing, and shopping especially at the thrift store! Traveling was another favorite. The most memorable trip was the last "sibling trip" to Ocean City, MD in August 2021. The two youngest brothers were so determined to get her to the beach, they literally wheeled her down the street and through the sand. Their perseverance was not only a testament of their sibling love and devotion, but a tribute to their mother's legacy of what it means to be a family.
Jacquelyn is preceded in death by parents Ebb Williams, Jr. and Essie Smith Williams, and sister Sheila Robinson.
She is survived by her husband Gerald L. Strother, Sr. Her beautiful life will forever be cherished in the lives of her children: Katrina (Juan) Bass, Gerald Strother, Jr., Earl Strother, II, and LaRita (Tyson) Smith all of Columbus, OH; fourteen grandchildren: Hasan (Shaniqua) Harris, Kaliyah Moody-Strother, Lia Smith, Angel Strother, Lewis Strother, Madison Strother, Onica Bass, Jessica Smith, Trinity Bass, Serenity Bass, Jamaelynn Stein, Jamiah Strother, Joysanna Strother, Jaleeah Strother; two great grandchildren: Kah'Mera Fambro and Hasan Harris, Jr.; brothers: Rudolph (Sherry) Williams of Columbus, OH, Jonathan (Gwen) Williams of Baltimore, MD, and Tracy Williams-Johnson of Columbus, OH; sisters: Carolyn Harrington of Columbus, OH, Valerie (Robert) Paynter of Newark, OH, Van Tossa (John) Carter of Columbus, OH, Carlisa Dixon-Morris of Worthington, OH and Erica Williams-Holloway of Westerville, OH; sisters-in-law: Dr. Germaine (Bill) Strother of Riverside, CA and Doretha Martin of Marysville, OH; lifelong friend: Sharon (Joseph) Anderson; five godchildren; and a host of aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends, including the "MOBC Golden Girls".