Tribute to a Queen Mother
“I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, and I have remained faithful.” II Timothy 4:7 (NLT)
Selma Dorothy Straughter, “Dot,” left this earthly realm on May 22, 2021, after a long battle with lung cancer. It would be wrong to say that Selma lost her battle because she never stopped fighting. No matter how sick she was, she was always determined. When anyone else would have broken, Selma stayed strong. Through her, we know what resilience and perseverance truly looks like. there was no quit in Selma. Just because she is no longer here, it doesn’t mean she lost her fight. Truly she won the battle.
Selma Dorothy Straughter was born on March 17, 1949, in Jennings, FL, to the late Sadie Mae Mobley and the late Lonnie Gandues. At an early age, she confessed Christ and joined St. James Missionary Baptist Church, under the leadership of Reverend T.J. Haynes. She was a devoted member serving on many auxiliaries faithfully until her health failed. She loved her church and singing was a passion of hers, as she was a proud member of the Haynes Gospel Choir. She was employed by Greenleaf Behavioral Health Hospital for over 24 years as the supervisor of Environmental Services. She was a stern supervisor, but her love was visibly seen and felt by her employees. Selma was a friendly, outgoing person who never met a stranger. She had a kind, compassionate, and benevolent heart toward her fellow man and served family and friends with gladness according to God’s will and purpose. Her testament of faith was mostly played out in devotion and affection as a mother to her children, living the wisdom of the word, and holding them accountable to its application in their living. She encouraged them to model her example as she ardently worked to depict a righteous lifestyle. She was “a woman of excellence” who worked diligently with her hands to provide for her family’s needs. She was a stellar homemaker. She propelled her girls to pursue excellence and to “shoot for the stars.” Selma was proud to see her girls’ plans mature into achieved goals. Selma’s signature name means Helmet of God, safe, and peaceful. Selma translated the signature interpretation of her name into her living. She embraced God by living under the helmet of his protective custody. He was her lifelong safety net; she embraced and abided in the counsel of God’s word.
She leaves to cherish her memories: dedicated and supportive daughters, Dr. Angela S. Straughter-Thomas of Valdosta, GA, Sergeant Major Sadie K. Straughter-Cabell (Darnell) of Dumfries, VA, and Mary A. James of Valdosta, GA; grandchildren, Christopher A. Baker, Shynice T. Baker, and Tia S. Cabell; one loving and affectionate fur grandson, BoDee; great-grandchildren, Ch’Ress S. Baker, Eden J. Baker, and Elise L. Dennis, all of Valdosta, GA; brothers, Jeff (Alice) Williams and Joseph (Helen) Brister, all of Gainesville, FL, Johnny Brister of Atlanta, GA, Owen Gainous, Hershel (Veronica) Rolax, and Terry Gainous, all of Quincy, FL; sisters, Sallie L. Williams and Ida M. Brister, of Valdosta, GA, and Gwen Wilson of Quincy, FL; sisters-in-law, Louvenia (Johnny) Straughter and Beatrice Straughter, all of Valdosta, GA; a host of cousins, nieces, nephews, and friends; a special, loving aunt, Katherine Ganious of Columbia, SC; a devoted niece, Pastor Shirley Straughter of Valdosta, GA; a very special thanks to Carolyn Hill for taking care of our precious jewel; and faithful and supportive friends, Ree Howard, Minnie McCaskill, Sam Napier, Michelle Holmes, Gwen and Charles Whitehead, and Pastor Sherri Murphy.In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her special long-life friend and ex-husband of 24 years of marriage, Mr. Wille C. Straughter, the father of her three daughters; brother, Lonnie Gandues; sister, Mae L. Brister; and aunt, Irine StraughterSelma will always be remembered by her girls as a mother who was “in front of them to cheer them, behind them to have their backs and next to them (with God as her companion) to know that they were never walking alone.”Amen to a beautiful life we will share forever as loved in our hearts! May she rest well in “the Valley of God’s Peace.
”Submitted in Love, Selma’s three Heartbeats, Angie, Sadie K. & Ann.
A celebration of life will be Saturday, May 29, 2021 at 3PM at Joyful Sound Ministry with Dr. Julia Berry, officiating. Burial will follow in Sasser Landing Cemetery. Visitation will be at the Stevens-McGhee Chapel from 3PM-7PM on Friday, May 28, 2021.
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Flowers are delivered by the preferred local florist of Stevens-McGhee Funeral Home, Inc. | Quitman, GA.
For Customer Service please call: 1-888-610-8262
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