Angela Joyce Stroud, 66, passed away on Thursday, March 19, 2015.
She was born on May 22, 1948, in Chicago, Ill., at Cook County Hospital, the daughter of Mrs. Lois Kidd Riley (Thrasher) of Jefferson, GA and the late Raymond Thrasher of Oconee County.
In Chicago, Ill., Angela earned a diploma at Saint Leo Elementary School in 1961 and graduated from Hyde Park High School in 1966. With much fortitude and determination Angela went on to earn a bachelor degree of education from the University of Georgia (UGA) in 1974; a master degree of education from Georgia State University in 1977; and a degree of Education Specialist from Lincoln Memorial University in 2000. Angela migrated in 1972 from Chicago to Georgia to be a family caregiver to her grandmother Lula Borders Kidd in Jefferson, GA and to obtain her bachelor degree from UGA. During her tenure as a student at UGA, she was inducted as a member of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority Inc. While in Jefferson, GA Angela met her former husband Phillip Ellis Arnold Stroud of Statham, and they married in September 1974 and resided in Decatur for 16 years. They had a son, Jason Stroud, in 1974, and a daughter, Ashley Stroud, in 1986.
Angela’s life work and divine calling was service through education to the gifted children of DeKalb County School System in Georgia. Later in her career as an educator, she conducted grants, staff development, curriculum and instruction for staff at the DeKalb County School District office. She also led her students on various service learning trips abroad to Germany, Austria, England, France, Italy and Switzerland. Her passion and vigor for educating the youth led her to earn myriad accolades and honorable distinctions including the National Science Teaching Award in 1995. Angela was also a proud member of the National Education Association, Georgia Association of Educators and the Organization of DeKalb Educators. She retired from the DeKalb County School System after 30 years of dedicated teaching in 2004.
Upon retirement she continued to be a committed and devoted mother who provided continual counsel, support and unconditional love to her two children. She was a devoted daughter, advocate and family caregiver to her mother Lois Kidd Riley. Angela was ecstatic to become a grandmother of six beautiful grandchildren. Additionally, Angela was a vigilant neighbor who was active in the Hidden Lake Neighborhood Association where she resided over 40 years. Finally Angela J. Stroud was a niece, cousin, friend and precious child of God.
Survivors in addition to her mother include a daughter, Ashley Philicia Victoria Stroud, Decatur; son, Jason Damon Phillip Stroud (Morgan), Severna Park, Md.; grandchildren, Morgan Olivia, Jayme Elizabeth Ramona, Jasmine Rayne Angelique, Jason Damon Phillip Jr., Melody Jorja Grace, and Malia Victoria Jacqueline Stroud; former husband, Phillip Ellis Arnold Stroud, Statham; and a host of other relatives and friends.
Funeral services will be held on Saturday, April 4, at 1 p.m., in the St. Paul First Baptist Church, 573 Gordon St., Jefferson, GA 30549. The visitation will be held on Saturday from 12 to 1 p.m. in the St. Paul First Baptist Church, prior to the service. The burial will follow in the Paradise AME Cemetery in Jefferson.
Evans Funeral Home, Jefferson, is in charge of arrangements.
Online condolences may be expressed at www.evansfuneralhomeinc.com