Mina Gail Strayer

Mina Gail Strayer, age 82, passed away peacefully at the Avalon of Lewis Center, on Thursday, February 29, 2024 surrounded by family and friends.

Mina was born on May 7, 1941 in Winchester, Virginia, the second of nine children born to William “Bill” and Elizabeth “Betty” Warner. Mina was raised in West Virginia but settled in Central Ohio as a young adult. There she met and married the love of her life, Robert “Bob” Strayer of Columbus on October 14, 1972. Together, they raised seven children and were blessed with 12 grandchildren and nine great-grandchildren.

Mina was a loving wife, mother, and grandmother as well as a caring sister and friend to many. She was known for her beautiful smile and plentiful hugs. Her door was always open and she made friends everywhere she went. Mina lived a full life and was known to be creative and competitive. She loved writing and has shared many poems and short stories, and is an unpublished novelist. She enjoyed spending time with her large family more than anything else. She passed her love for games, cards, singing, dancing, and laughing to her children and grandchildren.

Mina and Bob were astute Euchre players and known among their friends as competitive Euchre partners. During their early retirement, Mina and Bob were members of the Muskingum County Center for Seniors in Zanesville, Ohio where they enjoyed card tournaments and square dancing. One of Mina’s greatest passions in life had been restoring their home in Zanesville which she managed as a bed and breakfast for a time. She loved to host parties in the home for friends and family. She created beautiful memories there; especially for her grandchildren.

Mina is survived by her seven children: Vicki (Andy) McMillian, Summerville, SC; Bob Strayer, East Palestine, OH; James Strayer, Dresden, OH; David (Judy) Strayer, Marion, OH; Laurie (Dave) Hoffman, Tiffin, OH; Carrie (Doug) Weller, Lewis Center, OH; and Curtis (Julie) Strayer, Marion, OH. She is also survived by her grandchildren Robert, Kyle, Andrew, Michael, Jessica (Philip), Brandon (Sarah), Abby, Bethany, Mikaela, Sydney, Jasper, and Gavin, nine great-grandchildren, and siblings Bill Warner, Ray Warner, Mike Warner, Cindee Warner, Bobbie Shannon; numerous cousins, nieces and nephews, and lifelong friends Betty Jane Davidson, Jeanne Dearth, and Peggy Weller.

Although she will be deeply missed, we are comforted to know she is reunited with her late husband Bob, her sister Betty Jo, her brothers Carl and Lenny, her parents Bill and Betty, and other loved ones who went before her. Mina was, and is, deeply loved by her family and was a good friend to so many. Her kind and caring spirit will be forever missed.

A Memorial Service will be held on Friday, March 8, 2024, at the Shaw-Davis Funeral Home, 4341 N. High Street, Clintonville, Ohio. The family will receive guests from 4 – 5 PM, with the service beginning at 5 pm. In lieu of flowers, please remember Mina with a donation to the Alzheimer’s Association at https://www.alz.org/get-involved-now/donate