Joseph Elmer Stroud

Joseph E. Stroud Jr died at home on the 25th of March, surrounded and supported by his wife and children.
Born in Raleigh on the 4th of January, 1951, Joe was the son of Joseph E. Stroud Sr. and Mary Hall Goss (née Mary Eliza Hall). Raised in Fuquay-Varina, NC, as the eldest of four children, in his youth he enjoyed playing music and participating in high school sports including football. This was the beginning of a life-long love of both.
After graduating from East Carolina University, he went on to study Law at Wake Forest University School of Law. Upon graduation and passing the bar he went on to serve as an Assistant District Attorney before entering private practice. He had a deep appreciation for the law that ultimately led him to criminal defence, ensuring his clients received their right to a fair trial. He served as council for several towns and municipalities and was proudly a State Board Certified Specialist in criminal law.
Joseph had more interests and hobbies than could be listed here, resulting in his having a story relevant to just about any situation, and he'd make sure you heard it. He was involved for many years in Scouting (he was an Eagle Scout himself) and coaching youth sports for both his children's teams. He loved being on the water, whether under sail, motoring in the sound, out deep-sea fishing, or even that one time in a paddle raft guided by his daughter, he enjoyed it all. He was a pilot who enjoyed the thrill and challenge of taking to the skies, even that one time in a Cessna accidentally copiloted by his young son. He frequently traveled to attend sports games, with his devotion to East Carolina Pirate football, and Wrexham Association Football Club toping the list.
He often claimed others had more creativity in their little fingers than he had in his whole body, but his actions showed otherwise. He loved woodwork, gifting his grandchildren handmade wooden airplanes and other requested vehicles. He was handy around the house, tended his yard, garden, and bird feeders, and kept a practice of spiritual meditation. He was a chorister and musician, singing for Schola Cantorum (The Diocesan Choir for the Episcopal Diocese of East Carolina) and the Crystal Coast Choral Society, as well as his church choir at First Christian Church in Richlands.
This brings us to the most important things to him in life: his family. Joe absolutely adored his grandchildren, who in turn adored him. He was a loving and doting grandfather whose favourite thing was bringing a smile to the grandkids, which he frequently achieved by giving them exactly what they wanted.
Joe was a man of deep faith, and a third-order associate of the Society of St. John the Evangelist, an Anglican/Episcopal religious order. He took his faith seriously, and strove to love God and his neighbour and to respect the dignity of every human being. While he died sooner than either he or us would have wished, none of us were worried about where he was bound. He was, as we all are, a sinner redeemed by God's grace, and he now takes his place singing alongside the choirs of angels and archangels.
Joe is survived by his loving wife Susan, who cared for him devotedly through his illness. He is survived also by his daughter Laura Stroud and her partner Em Warren; son Daniel Stroud and his wife Lara, along with their sons Charley and Henry; his stepson Ashley Brown and his wife Jese, along with their daughters Lacie and Mollie. He is survived also by his siblings Amy Stroud and her partner Carson, Karen Cloninger and her husband Don, and Hal Stroud and his wife Jeanne. He is survived also by his father, Joseph E. Stroud Sr. and numerous nieces, nephews, and extended family. He was preceded in death by his mother, Mary Goss and infant sister Mary Joe.
Funeral Services are to be held at First Christian Church in Richlands at 11:00am on April 1st. Visitation will precede the service at 10:00am. All are most welcome to attend and share their stories and memories.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations in Joe's memory to either Schola Cantorum, the choir of the Episcopal Diocese of East Carolina, or the Crystal Coast Choral Society, organizations that bring beauty to so many and such joy to Joe. He loved to sing and was a valued and well-loved member of both organizations.
Contributions to Schola Cantorum can be made by mailing a check (pay to the order of Diocese of East Carolina, "Joe Stroud Memorial" on subject line) to: Diocese of East Carolina, Attn: Litisha Dawson, P.O. Box 1336, Kinston, NC 28501.
Contributions to the Crystal Coast Choral Society can be made either by mailing a check (pay to the order of Crystal Coast Choral Society, "Joe Stroud Memorial" on subject line) to: Crystal Coast Choral Society, P.O. Box 1954, Swansboro, NC 28584, or Paypal donation at www.crystalcoastchoralsociety.org/donate.(Include "Joe Stroud memorial.)
The family will be accepting visitors at 10AM on Tuesday, April 1st, 2025 at First Christian Church of Richlands, followed by a Memorial Service at 11AM officiated by Pastor Mark Reid and Joseph's son, Reverend Daniel Stroud. Flowers are to be delivered to the church. To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Joseph, please visit our floral store.