Martha Stroup

Martha Helen Clark Stroup, 89, of Bessemer City, died peacefully on Friday, December 12, 2025.
Martha was born May 13, 1936, in Gaston County to the late Charles Henry Clark and Vergie Smith Clark. She grew up at Antioch Methodist Church in Crouse, and after marrying was a member of Concord United Methodist Church in Bessemer City.
She was a graduate of Tryon High School (1954) and Appalachian State Teachers' College (ASU) where she earned a bachelor's degree in early childhood education in 1958. She taught first through third grade at Bessemer City West, Bessemer City Central, and McAdenville Elementary before opening the first Kindergarten at Tryon Elementary School, where she taught the remainder of her career. During her 36-year career as an educator, Martha inspired a love of learning in countless young minds. Her deep love of children and care for their well-being will be remembered by all who knew her.
She married her beloved husband, Albert Augustus "Gus" Stroup on December 20, 1958. Their children, "The 3 D's"-Denise, David, and Delisa-were born of their union.
Martha was a loving and beloved daughter, sister, wife, aunt, mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother. She was a friend to many across all generations throughout her life. She loved the Lord, her "Gussie," her family, her students, her friends, music, singing, nature, ice cream, chocolate, balloons, bubbles, the colors pink and purple, and having fun. The joy and laughter she brought to daily living will be deeply missed.
Throughout her life, she found community in Concord's United Methodist Women, choirs in college and church, Delta Kappa Gamma--Beta Epsilon Chapter, the Red Hat Society, community concerts, travel groups, water aerobics at the Lincolnton YMCA, and ALL the activities at Kingston and Trinity Ridge.
Martha was preceded in death by her parents, her beloved husband Gus, her sister Nora Heavner, and her brother C.H. Clark, Jr.
She is survived by her three children, Denise Sellers (Lance) of Hickory, David Stroup (Lisa) of Bessemer City, and Delisa Harrison (Chris) of N. Myrtle Beach; five grandchildren, Paige Hamblin (Will) of Hickory, Chelsey Hoyle (Brian) of Bessemer City, Clark Sellers (Rebecca) of Hickory, Josh Harrison (Megan) of Cherryville, and Taylor Weems of Charlotte; nine great-grandchildren, Thomas & Elena Hamblin, Hallie & Henry Hoyle, Anderson & Claire Sellers, Jonah & Lilly Kate Harrison, and Hudson Weems, and her sister Virginia Sigmon (Ray) of Maiden.
The family would like to offer special thanks to all who cared for and loved Martha in her time at Trinity Ridge. She loved you all, and for this, we are grateful.
A service to celebrate Martha's life will be held at Concord United Methodist Church at 2:00PM on Wednesday, December 17, 2025 with Pastor Van Spencer officiating. The family will greet friends following the service.
Memorials may be made to Concord United Methodist Church, 2404 Tryon Courthouse Road, Bessemer City, NC 28016.
A guest register is available at www.stameycherryvillefuneralhome.com
Stamey-Cherryville Funeral Home & Cremation Service is serving the family of Mrs. Stroup.