Agnes Burgess Strong was born on January 2, 1939, in Kingstree, South Carolina, to the late Peter R. Burgess and Cora Pendergrass Burgess. She was raised in the Christian faith and attended St. Mary's Methodist Church in Kingstree, South Carolina.

Agnes graduated from Tomlinson High School in 1957 and soon relocated to New York City. There, she began a career of service and compassion, working as a Certified Nursing Assistant at New York Foundling Hospital. In November 1960, she was united in holy matrimony with the late Olin James Strong. Their loving union was blessed with three daughters: Patricia, Joyce, and Michele.

Agnes later served as a dedicated paraprofessional with the New York City Board of Education, where she worked faithfully until her retirement in 2003.

Following retirement, Agnes returned to South Carolina and made her home in Florence, where she worshiped faithfully at Wayside Chapel Baptist Church until relocating to Newport News, Virginia in 2018 and she remained deeply connected to her church family in Florence. Though due to her declining health, she was unable to attend physically, she did regularly attended services online from Cornerstone Worship Center in Hampton, Virginia.

Agnes enjoyed life's simple pleasures. She loved watching The Price Is Right and her favorite soap opera, The Young and the Restless. Her devotion to those programs was so well known that her grandchildren, even at a young age, could be heard saying, “Higher Bob, Higher!” and instantly recognizing the theme song from The Young and the Restless. She also enjoyed cooking, listening to music, working crossword puzzles, and assembling jigsaw puzzles.

A devoted basketball fan, Agnes proudly supported the New York Knicks. While her love for the game was not passed down to her daughters, she shared that passion with her four grandsons. During basketball season, she could often be found watching games with them or discussing the latest matchups by phone. When a game was not going in her team's favor, her familiar refrain was “He is a dirty player!”

Agnes was a loving and generous woman who served as a surrogate mother, mentor, and source of wisdom to many. Her greatest joy was her family, especially her beloved grandchildren and great grandchildren. Agnes was preceded in death by her husband, Olin James Strong; her parents, Peter R. Burgess and Cora Pendergrass Burgess; her brothers, Peter Burgess, Amos Burgess, and Robert Lee Burgess; her nephew, Henry Irule Fulton; and her great-grandson, Nehemiah Hurt

She leaves to cherish her memory her three daughters: Patricia Strong Williams (Ellis), Joyce Strong-Hurt (Norman), and Michele Strong Wilson (the late Raymond Wilson); her grandchildren: Michael & Lauren Williams, Jamel James Young, Tykeem Williams, Ranelle Destiny Wilson, Norman E. Hurt, Jr & Terika Williams**,** and Naomi E. Hurt; her great-granddaughters: Sage Jayla Williams and Sapphire Patricia Williams; her sister, Sue C. Fulton of Florence, South Carolina; her sister-in-law, Henrietta Strong of East Point, Georgia; her brother-in-law, James Wright of Kingstree, South Carolina; her longtime friend and confidant, Velma Smalls; godson/nephew Derrick Fulton; and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, other relatives, and friends.

Agnes will be remembered for her unwavering faith, her loving spirit, her sense of humor, and the lasting impact she made on all who knew and loved her.

Acknowledgement

The family of Agnes Burgess Strong gratefully acknowledges every expression of love, prayer, kindness, and support shown during this time of bereavement. Your thoughtfulness, compassion, and comforting presence have been a source of strength, and your kindness will always be remembered and deeply appreciated.

“Well done, good and faithful servant.”

Matthew 25:23