Obituary of Olivia V. Stroman

Olivia Vina Owens-Stroman was born on May 12, 1932, to Jim and Estella Owens of Early Branch, South Carolina and was one of five children. Olivia attended elementary school in Early Branch and graduated from high school in Yemassee, South Carolina. Following high school, she attended the School of Nursing in Henryton, Maryland, but had to leave school after contracting measles. After returning home from Maryland, she met and married the late Leon Stroman Jr., and during their 37-year union, they had six children. After Olivia and Leon raised their children, Olivia returned to school and earned an AAS Degree in Human Services from Elmira College and was employed in various occupations: Outreach Caseworker in the Equal Opportunity Program, Nursing Assistant at the Chemung County Nursing Facility, and Inspector at Corning Glass Works where she retired. In addition to family and work life, Olivia has been a long time and active member of Monumental Baptist Church since arriving to Elmira in the early 1950's and served in many auxiliaries: Missionary Board, Usher Board, Board of Trustees, and in 2014 she was appointed as a Church Mother. She is also a member of Omega Chapter No.2, the Order of Eastern Star P.H.A., and a lifetime member of Queen City Temple #146 since 1954, and also a member of Elizabeth Kimbrough Council and served as Chairman of Trustees. In Elkdom, she was named Assistant Daughter Ruler. Olivia loved gardening and had a "green thumb" for growing plants. She was an excellent cook, and while her children's childhood friends raved about her fried chicken, their favorite meal was pancakes, bacon, eggs, grits, and French toast for dinner. Olivia loved to bake apple and sweet potato pies, cakes, banana pudding, and her lemon meringue pie was a bake sale favorite at Edward D. Hardy School. She was an avid baseball fan and enjoyed watching the New York Mets and the Atlanta Braves. Olivia is predeceased in death by her parents, Jim Owens and Estella Owens (Boles), along with her grandparents who raised her, Champ and Mattie Owens; husband, Leon Stroman Jr.; daughter, Shirley Dean Stroman; siblings, Richard Owens, Hilda Daniels, Alfred (Mickey) Owens, Rosa Lee Tootle; son-in-law John L Holt Jr. Olivia is survived by her children, Charles Stroman, Vance Stroman (Cindy Shaylor), Geoffery Stroman (Laurie), June Stroman-Holt, Gregory Stroman; grandchildren, Jonathan Nixon, Crystal Stroman, Savanna Stroman, Chanel Stroman, Nikkia Stroman-Youngs (Eric), Joshua Stroman; great grandchildren, Elijah Stroman, Nazila Nixon, Noriah Sherrer, Alora Sherrer, Brooklyn Sherrer, Jazlynn Sherrer, Olivia Youngs, Meila Youngs; Sister-in-laws, Ruth Owens, and Hattie Stroman; and a host of cousins, nieces, nephews, and friends. Special recognition to Shirley Williams, Francine Keith, Franker Wright, Elease Garvin, Edgar Louie Owens, and Lester Owens; adopted children, Annette Walker, Keith Samuels, Kathleen Kitchings, Brenda Delige; and very close friend, Shirley Thomas. Olivia will be remembered for her kind, gentle, and welcoming spirit, and honest feedback. We will dearly miss her. Family and friends are invited to visit MBC a Reflection Remnant Church, 1009 Maple Ave., Elmira on Wednesday, February 21st from 10:30 to 11:30 AM. Elks Memorial will begin at 11:30 AM. Her funeral service will be held at 12 noon. Rev. Corey Cooke will officiate. Committal prayers and interment will follow in Woodlawn National Cemetery.