Charles Strong

Charles Strong, Jr. passed away Thursday, April 19, 2012 after a brief illness. Charlie was born in Bradenton, Florida, the son of the late Charles and Mary Mitchell Strong. In his infancy, the family moved to his mother's hometown of Gainesville, where Charlie happily lived out the rest of his life, with the exception of time spent serving in the U.S. Army during World War II.

Upon his return to Gainesville, he opened Queen City Laundry in 1946. He married the love of his life, the late Shirley Grogan, in 1951. After the births of four children, he began operating Strong Grocery in 1963, which he continued to operate until March of this year.

Charlie is survived by his children and their spouses, Charlie and Marti Strong, Nat and Diane Strong, Mary and Richard Gerakitis, Jane and Mike Weaver; sister, Frances Strong Pike; grandchildren, Chas and Kingsley Strong, Adam Strong, Alli Strong Ryals and husband Casey, Nathan Strong, Richard Gerakitis and fiancée Lindsay Conrad, Peter and John Gerakitis, Katherine Weaver Hall and husband Scotty, Michael and Sam Weaver; great-granddaughter Livie Ryals; and many beloved in-laws, nieces and nephews.

Funeral services will be held at 11:00 A.M. Saturday, April 21, 2012 at First Baptist Church on Green Street, with Dr. William L. Coates, Jr. officiating. Graveside services will be held at 10:00 A.M. Saturday, April 21 at Alta Vista Cemetery. The family will receive friends from 5:00 P.M. until 7:00 P.M. Friday April 20, at the funeral home.

In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to First Baptist Church, 751 Green Street, Gainesville, GA 30501; Good News Clinics, 810 Pine Street, Gainesville, GA 30501; Hospice of Northeast Georgia Medical Center, 2150 Limestone Parkway, Gainesville, GA 30501; or a charity of one's choice.

Online condolences may be made to the family at littleanddavenport.com.

Little & Davenport Funeral Home, 355 Dawsonville Highway, Gainesville, Georgia 30501.