On Saturday, September 14, 2024, Jesse Carlyle Stroud went to meet the Lord and is now reunited with his wife, Cecilia Stroud and daughter Susan in heaven. The joy they must be feeling right now makes the sadness in our hearts bearable along with knowing his body and mind are no longer failing him. There are no adequate words to succinctly  express just how much  this very special,  5ft, 6 inch, 150 pound  GIANT of a man meant to his family. The love, respect and gratitude our family feels for having had him in our lives for this long deepens as the magnitude of our loss sets in.

For 95 years he made a lasting impression on everyone he met. As a son, brother, uncle, soldier, husband, father, grandfather and great-grandfather,  his devotion and commitment to those he loved and served was ever present. You would be hard pressed to find a finer man as he was the best there was.  He could fix anything from cars to washing machines. He could pull out a little something or other that only he knew  where it was and magically make things work.  He  was just as proficient at braiding hair, fixing skinned knees, hurt feelings and broken hearts…always with  a clean handkerchief in hand ready to dab up tears  as  he gently stated there  was no reason for all that fuss. He made you believe him and trust that things would be ok. From his daughters to grandkids, he was everyone's steadfast rock, the one you knew you could always count on to be there no matter what.  He was a career military man, Command Sgt. Major in the Army who served his country with pride and dignity, but his legacy was his family, who he loved unconditionally and always put first.  His infectious smile and open arms were his signature greetings for daughters, granddaughters and grandsons… inviting you for a welcoming hug-the kind that made you smile and realize how much you missed him and how blessed you were to have someone like him in your life.

Jesse was predeceased by his wife Cecilia, his daughter Susan Kelly Watkins & his son in law, Christopher Baldwin.

Jesse is survived by his daughters Carol Stroud, Elizabeth Baldwin & Robin Benjamin (Ray); his nephew Tony Christoper Stroud (Shari); grandchildren ; Brian Kelly, Paul Kelly (Cory), Andrea  Strickhouser (Kevin), Nicole Hatchett (Michael), Jessica Baldwin, Carly Baldwin & Maya Baylen (Matt); Ray Benjamin, Riley Benjamin;  and his great grandchildren, Alli Strickhouser, Lexie Strickhouser;  Lilliana Kelly, June Kelly, Hannah Kelly; Maddie Kelly, Gabriel Kelly; Collyns Hatchett, Dylan Hatchett; and Teo Baylen & Asa Baylen.

Jesse will be laid to rest, Friday, October 4, 2024 at 1 pm at the Albert G. Horton Jr. Memorial Veteran's Cemetery in Suffolk, Virginia. Arrangements by W. J. Smith & Son Funeral Home.