Gwendolyn W. Strong passed away at home on January 2, 2013. She was surrounded by her immediate family.

She was born to the late Ben and Gussie Williams.She was a life long member of First Providence Missionary Baptist Church. She followed the footsteps of her grandmother, Alberta Waldon as the head musician at the church. After the death of her mother, she succeeded her as the Superintendent of the Baptist Training Union at the church. She was also a member of the mass choir, where she served faithfully until she could no longer serve.

Gwendolyn Strong graduated from Union Academy High School in 1954 and throughout her life, she was an avid supporter of its scholarship program. She attended North Carolina Central University and graduated from Bethune Cookman College in 1958.

She was employed by the Polk County School Board for over 30 years and retired in 1993 having taught at Union Academy Elementary and later Bartow Elementary School where she retired.

Gwendolyn Strong was a member of Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Inc. for over 50 years as a member of Gamma Phi Zeta Chapter. She served faithfully supporting all of it activities and fundraising events.

She was preceded in death by her husband Benny L. Strong. She is survived by two daughters: Jerolie (Lakeland), and Keysha (Bartow); and one son LeRon (LaDwayna) of Lakeland; two grandsons: Brandon Bridges and Darren McKinnon; two Great-grands: Kindall and Jordan; one God-son, LeDarion Jones;one brother, Benjamin Williams (Rebecca) of Ft.Lauderdale, Fl.; brother-in-law, Lamar Strong of Bradley; one aunt Asonia Washington of Bartow; and a host of nieces,nephews, cousins,and friends.

The family will receive friends at the funeral home from 5:00 PM to 7:00 PM, Friday, January 4, 2013. Funeral service will be at First Providence Missionary Baptist Church at 11:00 AM, Saturday, January 5, 2013.

Interment will be at Wildwood Cemetery, Bartow, FL.