February 21, 1930 — August 27, 2023
Annette Cole Dunham Strouse, age 93, of Elizabethtown heard the call of Jesus on Sunday, August 27, 2023, while at her home surrounded by family. She was born the daughter of the late Dewitte Dunham and Cora Belle Cole Dunham on February 21, 1930 in Philadelphia, PA.
She and her late husband George married and made their home in Elizabethtown, NC. Together they worked and raised six beautiful children. They were lifetime members of Trinity Methodist Church in Elizabethtown. Her church and church family were very important to her. Annette served on the Funeral Committee, the Prayer Shawl Ministry, and the Mattie Clark Circle. She was a loving mom, grandma, and great grandma. A strong example of grace and physical fitness, she held a gym membership until the age of 90. Annette had a love of sports and was always on the rally for her Carolina and Braves teams. She also showed up for all her grandchildren’s ball games if she was physically able. Her time with family and trips to the mountains were so very precious to her. Her eternal love and commitment to the loves in her life will forever live on in the hearts and lives of all those she leaves behind.
Annette is survived by her son, Steven Strouse (Diane) of Leland, NC, four daughters, Debbie Ayscue of Norwood, Kim Cozart of Creedmoor, Terri Raynor (Anthony) of Elizabethtown, and Tracie Strouse of Elizabethtown, one sister Janice Smith (Tommy) of Harrells, son-in-law Jim Harwood of Albemarle, 13 grandchildren, Jamie Hraczo (Corey), Alex Harwood (Shonda), Megan Lewis, Steven Strouse, Heather Strouse, Amber Hartsell (Danny), Gray Ayscue (Morgan), Lauren Murphy (Kevin), McKinley Raynor, Kayleigh Raynor, Colby Hester, Lawson Hester, and Zac Hester, eight great grandchildren, Geordyn, Xander, Tyler, Raylin, Bryson, Ellison, Harmony, Waylon, two more on the way and one niece Erin Smith. She was preceded by her parents, her husband George Strouse, and one daughter, Susan Harwood.
The family will receive friends from 6-8 pm on Tuesday, August 29, 2023, at the Bladen Gaskins Funeral Home in Elizabethtown. A funeral service will be held on Wednesday, August 30th at 11:00 am at the Trinity Methodist Church in Elizabethtown. A burial will follow the services in the Elizabethtown Cemetery.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be sent to the Trinity Methodist Church, P.O. Box 759, Elizabethtown, NC 28337, or Lower Cape Fear Lifecare, 1414 Physicians Dr., Wilmington, NC 28401.
