Zackie Edward Strong, 1930-2023

Zackie Edward Strong passed away on September 20, 2023, in Hattiesburg, MS. He was 93.

Zackie was born on January 24, 1930, in Carpenter a community of Copiah County, Mississippi, the son of Hewey Edward Strong and Agnes Price Strong. He attended Copiah and Hinds County Schools. He married Maxine Bradshaw Strong of Scott County and worked as a farmer, cattleman and merchant. He was a member of Utica Baptist Church. He also worked for the U. S. Postal Service until he completely retired in 1998. He and Maxine moved to Hattiesburg in 2011 and she passed away in 2012.

Zackie was very active in his community. He served in the United States Navy from 1952-1956. He became a member of Copiah Farm Bureau in 1956 and was elected to board member in 1963 and served as county president two times in the early 1970’s. He served on the Mississippi Farm Bureau Board of Directors District 15 from 1977-1986 and was Mississippi Farm Bureau Vice President Southern District from 1987-1998. He also served on Copiah ASCS County Commision (1973-1981), Mississippi ASCS State Commision (1982-1985), Copiah FSA County Commission (1996-1998), President of Copiah Cattleman Association for 4/ 1/2 years in the 1970’s, Copiah NRCS District Commission (1963-1981) and Board of Directors of Mississippi Livestock Producers (1989-1998).

He is survived by his daughters Cindy Strong Ayala of Nashville, TN and Lisa Strong Grantham of Hattiesburg, MS and five grandchildren Taylor Ayala, Austin Ayala, Michael Ayala, William Sullivan and Stephen Grantham.

A funeral service will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Monday, September 25, 2023, at Utica Baptist Church with Dr. Stanley (Rocky) Henriques officiating the service. Visitation will be from 10:00 a.m. until the hour of the service. Burial will follow in Carpenter Cemetery.

Pallbearers will be Taylor Ayala, Austin Ayala, Michael Ayala, William Sullivan, Stephen Grantham and Scott Huffman. Honorary pallbearers will be the members of the Men’s Bible Class of Utica Baptist Church.